The deep, circular bowl of tin-glazed earthenware has high well walls and a wide, upward-curving rim. The rim is cut away in a semi-circle to accommodate the neck of a man being shaven.

The surface of the opaque white glaze is ornamented with clusters of flowers, painted in blue over it, to simulate the cobalt blue ornamentation of Chinese trade porcelain.

The walls of the deep central well are circled by a band of chinoiserie, and the upper edge of the wide rim is enclosed by a scalloped border. The underside of the bowl is undecorated.

Reputed to have been owned by Franklin