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Rockefeller Provenance Dutch Armorial Charger #7854

A handsome Chinese export porcelain 12″ charger made for the Dutch market bearing the Arms of Van Idzinger, part of a once very extensive service ordered from a member of the Van Idzinger family working for the Dutch East India Company (of which there were several). Part of the service was acquired by New York Governor and ardent collector, Nelson Rockefeller and was purportedly used by the family for their ‘everyday’ dishes! Illustrated and extensively discussed in Jochem Kroe’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain for the Dutch Market, page 482-483.  Measuring 11″ in diameter, very good condition, and dating to circa 1790s. Ex-Elinor Gordon Collection. Circa 1785-1795.

 

Yongzheng Swedish Armorial Plate #7756c

A fine example of Chinese export porcelain made for the Swedish market, this pleasingly enameled and gilded plate is centered with a large coat of arms with coronet crest encircled by a light green prunus cavetto, the border with large branches of gilded peony. The arms are those of Baron Daniel Niklas Von Hopken (1699-1741) a Swedish Secretary of State and investor in the Swedish East India Company (which explains his ability to access such luxurious porcelain). This is a beautifully colorful plate with a pleasing balance of white space to set off the enamels and gilding – all of which are in remarkably intact condition. Measuring just shy of 10″ in diameter, with a rim restoration, otherwise a beautiful example. Circa 1730-1735.  Ex-Nelson Kline Collection. $2000.

 

Yongzheng Dutch Armorial Plate #7672c

A truly elegant Chinese export porcelain Yongzheng period plate made for the Dutch market, richly hand-painted in Famille Rose enamels, centered with a large central gilded shield bearing a fleur-de-lys and surmounted by knight’s helmet crest within flamboyant foliate surround, the cavetto diapered in pink with reserves of flowering branches, the floral motif continued around the rim with rich peony decoration and centered at the top with a crown and stag’s horn crest.  Bearing the Arms of Swellengrebel, almost certainly from a service made for Sergius Swellengrebel  (1694-1760) a Governor for the Dutch East India Company in the Cape Colony of South Africa. The history of the governing of the Dutch VOC colonies and outposts is discussed in detail in Kroes’ Chinese Armorial Porcelain for the Dutch Market, and this service in particular is illustrated and described on page 178 where the author points out design influences from similar English bespoke services of the period. Measuring 9″ in diameter with only a very small rim chip of two pieces out and restored, otherwise a beautiful plate in good condition.  Circa 1730-1735.

 

Early Qianlong Armorial Tea Caddy #7669c $1275.

A fine little Chinese export porcelain tea caddy of shaped form, decorated in Famille Rose enamels and gilding, from a bespoke service made for the English market and bearing the Arms of Amyatt, a family living near Southhampton.  Illustrated and discussed in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, vol I, page 556. Measuring 5″ tall and in good condition with only minor restoration around the shoulder and neck of the piece. Circa 1750. A great form.

Yongzheng Period Dutch Armorial #7649

An especially fine example of Chinese export porcelain made for the Dutch market, this Yongzheng period plate exemplifies the quality produced during this short period. From it’s finely detailed overglaze enamel and gilded coat-of-arms to the meticulously painted underglaze blue cavetto and border floral designs, this plate would have been part of an extensive service with each piece decorated with the same exacting quality. The family arms are those of De Jonge and the service was ordered by one Cornelis de Jonge (1687-1743) who worked his way up the Dutch East India bureaucracy to become senior merchant and first administrator of Bengal, eventually Director of Bengal for the VOC. Measuring 9″ in diameter and in very good condition.  Circa 1735.

 

American Market ‘Arms of Alexander’ Plate #4649

A very interesting piece of Chinese export porcelain relating to an American General in the Revolution. This plate is from a service made for Major General William Alexander (1726-1783). Born in New York, he was a distant relation of the Earl Stirling, and when that line ‘died out’ he petitioned Parliament before the war to claim the title. Despite never having been granted that petition, he nonetheless fashioned himself the ‘Earl of Stirling’ and as was customary at the time, ordered an armorial service  bearing the Arms of Alexander quartering MacDonald which is finely rendered here on this plate, a central shield with ‘Wild Man’ and ‘Mermaid’ supporters. Sadly, hostilities broke out and the service probably never got beyond the East India warehouses in London before William Alexander died in 1783. Despite his aspirations to a noble title, Alexander went on to have a very impressive military record for the American cause serving in New York and New Jersey as well as at Valley Forge, Brandywine, German town and Philadelphia, being made a Major General in 1777.  Measuring 9″ in diameter and in very good condition, dating to circa 1775.

Handsome 13″ ‘Arms of Oliphant’ Dish #7343

A very fine Chinese export porcelain quatrefoil-form serving dish, made for the English market, bearing the Arms of Oliphant impaling Browne. Measuring 9″ x 13″ and in very good condition, one of three services made with these arms, and dating to circa 1800, though the dealer label from Matthew and Elisabeth Sharpe have it dated a bit earlier. Discussed and illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 725.    $1250.

Extremely Fine Pair of Yongzheng Period ‘Arms of Frederick’ Plates #7263A

A very fine pair of Chinese export porcelain early Yongzheng period armorial plates made for the English market, richly decorated and detailed with an elaborate central coat-of arms for the Frederick family, Baronets of Westminster, an early promoter of the South Sea Company. Measuring 8 3/4″ in diameter and in very good condition with only a small chip to the reverse of one. Illustrated and discussed in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 202, and we are grateful to Angela Howard of Heirloom & Howard for information she has provided. Circa 1724.

Very Beautiful Yongzheng Period: the ‘Arms of Frederick’ Saucer Dishes #7263B (Sold individually)

An exemplary pair of Chinese export porcelain Yongzheng period saucer dishes from a bespoke armorial service made for the English market, bearing the Arms of the of Frederick, Baronets of Westminster. Measuring 8 3/4″ in diameter and in good condition with only an inch-long line to one dish from the rim, otherwise superlative decoration and great form from a much-sought-after period of porcelain production. Discussed and illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 202, and we are grateful to information provided by Angela Howard of Heirloom and Howard. With a provenance going back to the beginning of the 20th century with the Century House in London, preeminent antiques dealers who catered to the leading collectors of the day. Circa 1724.  $1,450.00 each.

Great Pair of Yongzheng Period Armorial Soup Plates: The Arms of Savage #7262. (Sold individually)

Another fine pair of Chinese export porcelain armorial pieces from our collection, here,a handsome pair of finely decorated 8 3/4″ soup plates made for the English market and bearing the Arms of Savage.  Technically, it is Savage impaling another family, but the second clan remain unidentified at this point. Regardless, the service demonstrates the rich detail and fine quality of the Yongzheng period. Very good condition. Discussed and illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 205, and we are grateful to Angela Howard of Heirloom & Howard for information provided. Circa 1724.

Extremely Rare Canadian Armorial Plate #7025

A very rare Chinese export porcelain plate made for the Canadian market, centered with the arms of a Canadian trading company. The armorial design features a central shield with images of the four sources of wealth of the Canadian trade: whale, fish, beaver and mink, with human supporters in the form of Britannia  with a ship’s mast, a cornucopia at her feet, and the “noble savage” of the wilderness with his bow, arrows, beaver, and a black bear, the crest rendered as a globe surmounted by a trading ship. All within diapered and spearhead borders in underglaze blue. Measuring 9 3/4″ in diameter and in very good condition. Discussed and illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, vol. I, Page 715. Circa 1795.

 

Export for the Russian Imperial Market-PAIR of Catherine the Great Plates #7070

An outstanding pair of Chinese export porcelain dinner plates from a service made for Catherine the Great of Russia, each centered with the Imperial double-headed eagle supporting a shield with an image of St. George slaying the dragon. The rim with a delicate ribbon and flowering vine-entwined border, a device most likely from French or English ceramics of the period. Catherine the Great (1729-1796) reigned from 1762 and is Russia’s longest reigning female monarch, responsible for expanding and westernizing her country. Measuring  9 1/2″ in diameter and in very good condition. Circa 1780. Priced individually.

 

 

 

 

Fine Pair of CHAPMAN Armorials #4923 One Sold; One Available

A fantastic example of Chinese export special order armorial porcelain made for the English market, these fine plates are from a service bearing the Arms of Chapman quarterly impaling Wood quarterly with Edmundson in pretence. These elaborate and flamboyantly rendered arms with their Latin motto fill the well of the plate within a gilded spearhead cavetto border, the rim decorated with an understated rendering of elegant flowering peony branches in bianco-sopra-bianco. Services such as these were de rigueur status symbols for the English nobility of the 18th century, advertising their wealth and connections. Discussed and illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, vol. I, page 411. Measuring 9″ in diameter, and in very good condition. Circa 1740.  $1,500.00 each.