A remarkable object from the French colonial days of American history, this attractive Chinese export porcelain armorial teapot is from a service bearing the Arms of Billouart de Kerlerac  and belonged to French Naval Commander Louis Billouart de Kerlerac who served in the French navy during the Seven Years War and was eventually made Governor of Louisiana. He was the last representative of France in the French colony, it then being ceded to Spain in 1762, and then to the British 1783.  Very good condition, measuring 6″ tall by 8″ across, and dating to the Qianlong period, circa 1745.

An exceptional example in especially fine condition, this grisaille-rendered tea bowl and saucer bears the Arms of  Vaughan impaling Hallowell.  The service was made for Samuel Vaughan upon his marriage to Sarah Hallowell of Boston in 1747 and the design was taken from a bookplate by Thomas Chippendale which is meticulously re-created line for line by the Chinese painter imitating the bookplate.  One of three services made for this family, this service though bears the Latin motto inscription.  Illustrated and discussed in Schiffer’s China for America, page 34. Very good condition.

A truly exquisite pair of Chinese Yongzheng period saucers, meticulously hand-painted in Famille Rose enamels with images of cockerels amongst rockwork and peonies. The peony being a symbol of wealth and nobility, the ‘Queen of the Flowers’ and the cockerel a symbol of strength, endurance and punctuality.  The brilliant enamels ‘sit proud’ of the surface of these very thinly potted saucers which bear all the hallmarks of Yongzheng period quality. Measuring 4 1/2″ in diameter with only a minor frit filled. Circa 1735.

Kangxi period porcelain at it’s best – this refined Chinese export rose water sprinkler is enhanced with silver mounts setting off its already brilliant underglaze blue decoration. Almost after Persian metal forms which were used for ablutions of scented water during meals, this piece represents the centuries old exchange between China is and Persia where forms and decoration from both cultures inspired each others designs. Measuring 10″ tall and in good condition, dating to circa 1690.

Another very fine Chinese Yongzheng period saucer from our collection decorated in rich Famille Rose enamels and gilding in the Chinese taste with a remarkably detailed scene of a courtly lady lavishly attired playing a stringed instrument with a small boy nearby bearing a ruyi scepter all within a minutely detailed gilded diapered cavetto, the rim edged with pink enamel cell work with floral reserves, all supported on an eggshell thin body. The same artistry and attention to detail was spent decorating this 4 1/2″ saucer as would been taken on the production of a large plate or charger, such is the quality of this period’s porcelain.  Very good condition. Circa 1735.

A beautifully modeled and detailed pair of late 18th century Mandarin ducks finely enameled and glazed.  The Mandarin duck appears frequently in Chinese art as it is the symbol of marital bliss and harmony as they mate for life.  Measuring 5″ across and in very good condition.

A very fine example of Chinese export armorial porcelain made for the English market, this 14″ charger is boldly centered with the flamboyant Arms of Lee quartering Astley, one of three services made for the family of Lee of Coton in Shropshire. What is truly remarkable is the border decoration which is finely rendered with alternating scenes of London and the Pearl River just below Canton. Why a family in rural Shropshire ordered a dinner service with these images is not quite known, but the juxtaposition of the London and the Pearl River sum up the growing power and expanse of the English East India Company and the beginnings of the British Empire.  A beautiful object and great historical document. Illustrated and discussed in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 329. Dating to circa 1735 and with restoration.

A beautiful pair of Chinese export porcelain 8 1/2″ dishes of molded form decorated in underglaze blue with central scenes of Mandarin dusks swimming amongst lotus with two cranes flying overhead, all within a multi-lobed rim with panels of floral decoration. The lotus is a symbol of purity, the ducks a symbol of marital harmony as they are believed to mate for life, and the cranes are revered second only to the phoenix amongst winged creatures as they are symbols of strength and endurance as they fly such long distances. Crane feathers are worn is amulets against ill heath. The molded lobed rim is most likely after European silver and delft forms of the period. Minor rim roughness filled, otherwise very good condition. Circa 1690.

A highly detailed and finely potted Chinese export porcelain saucer made for the European market, hand-painted with a bucolic scene of country folk playing cards beneath a tree with a serving maid readily at hand with a jug of refreshments – a wonderful scene of farmyard hens and chickens about their feet. The rendering taken from a painting by the Flemish artist David Teniers (1610-1690) who specialized in this sort of peasant life genre and whose work was very popular.  Measuring 4 3/4″ in diameter, and in very good condition with only two very minor rim frits filled.  One of the best renditions of this scene we’ve ever had.  Circa 1740.

A very finely enameled Chinese export porcelain handled cup with a broad band of butterflies and insects within floral and diapered borders.  Produced after designs by Dutch artist Cornelius Pronk, commissioned from the Dutch East India Company.  As these pieces very rarely appear on the market, we assume that this was a one-off special order tea service.  Good condition with only a line to the interior with a professional museum seal, the enamels in brilliant order. 2 3/4″ tall. Circa 1735-1740.

A remarkable piece of Presidential China Trade porcelain, this wonderfully shaped ring-handled covered vegetable dish bears a shield with the gilded initial J for Thomas Jefferson surmounted by a knight’s helmet.  From a service ordered for Jefferson and with a history of descent in the Coolidge branch of his family. Early 19th century.

Making a very grand statement, this impressive pair of Chinese export porcelain 20″ Mandarin platters would be a dramatic addition to any collection.  Beautifully hand-painted in vibrant Famille Rose enamels with what appears to be an image from silk production with tables of ladies working in a courtyard with a master overlooking their labors all within a finely rendered sepia floral border.  Very good condition with only a small chip on the rim to one of them, Circa 1810-1820.

A great example of early special order China Trade porcelain, this fine Kangxi period 14″ charger is brilliantly painted in underglaze blue in a classic Chinese style with a central bird-on-a-rock design and lotus and scrollwork decoration with the exception that it has a Dutch armorial inserted at the top. The rather loosely interpreted arms are those of PELGROM and are attributed to Jacob Pelgrom (1655-1713) who was a French Huguenot who fled to the Netherlands in 1688 and then on to the Dutch East Indies where he worked his way up the bureaucracy at the VOC eventually becoming Director of Begal by the time of his death. A beautiful piece of Kangxi porcelain with a very early European connection.  Illustrated and discussed in Kroes’  Chinese Armorial Porcelain for the Dutch Market, page 108. Very good condition, circa 1700-1710.

A fine Chinese export porcelain dome shouldered tea caddy made for the American market decorated with a three-masted ship, its sails furled, flying two American flags beneath a gilded monogram, almost certainly from a special order tea service commissioned by a ship’s captain or supercargo. Minor restoration to the neck  of the piece, otherwise good condition.  Circa 1800.

An 18th century reticulated dish hand-painted with a central scene of the Dutch ‘Folly Fort’ which was one of the first sights China Traders saw as they were heading up the Pearl River towards their anchorage at Whampoa and finally, after many months, Canton.  Truly, a snapshot back into the time of the early China Trade.  Measuring 9″ in diameter, late 18th/early 19th century.

A very finely potted and painted Chinese export porcelain tea bowl and saucer made for the European market, decorated in Famille Rose enamels, the saucer with a scene of Christ’s crucifixion which is also repeated on the delicate tea bowl along with emblems of His crucifixion.  Very good condition. Circa 1740.

A rather unusually decorated Chinese export porcelain handled cup and saucer made for a Scottish family, bearing the central crest of the Arms of Morison.  What makes it so interesting is that it is decorated rather more in the Chinese taste, the saucer with a bird-filled landscape, the theme continuing on the handled cup – which is after European forms of the period.  David Howard’s Volume II of Chinese Armorial Porcelain identifies it as being most likely ordered for James Morison (1738-1816) for Naughton House which he was building at the end of the 18th century.  Good condition with minor enamel wear. Jiaqing period, circa 1815.

A charming and great example of Chinese export porcelain made for the American market, this fine drum teapot and tea bowl and saucer  are each centered with a fine rendering of Hope leaning upon her anchor.  Almost certainly made for the American/Rhode Island market where so much of the success of the new state’s economy depended upon shipping and where the emblem of an anchor – a symbol of Hope – still is born upon the state’s seal. This symbol of Hope as a beautiful maiden resting upon an anchor appears regularly through the Federal period in imagery such as needlework. In very good condition. Circa 1795.

An especially fine Chinese porcelain libation cup decorated in the Famille Jaune palette with a charmingly modeled dragon handle. Very good condition, measuring 4 1/4″ across and dating to the late 17th – early 18th century.

A fine and rare example of the work of Cornelius Pronk, a Dutch artist commissioned by the Dutch East India Company to prepare designs to be executed on Chinese export porcelain for the company – one of the rare examples of a known European artist/design source for China Trade porcelain. This is one of his most elegant designs – centered with a lavender plume against a finely diapered grisaille and yellow ground. There are relatively few examples of this pattern as it is believed to have been produced in one tea service only as the lavender enamel proved so difficult to fire. Measuring 5 1/4″ across, this hexagonal, scalloped form stand is in good condition and dates to circa 1736. Discussed in Howard’s China for the West, Vol. I, page 302. Ex-collection of Charles Perry, Atlanta, Georgia.

A rather enigmatic Chinese export porcelain tea bowl and saucer, made for the American Market decorated with a military commander on horseback with an attendant, both in quasi-18th century uniforms, the attendant bearing an American flag. What is so puzzling is that the general (often said to be Washington) has a decidedly Chinese look about him with a wispy moustache and goatee. There has been much speculation when and why this piece, almost certainly part of a larger service, was made. Perhaps for the Centennial celebrations? Either way it is represented in some major museum collections and attribution of a date varies from the mid-19th century to early 20th.  In very good condition.

A beautiful hand-painted Chinese export porcelain plate made almost certainly for the Dutch Market with a central spray of richly enameled exotic flowers, butterflies, and caterpillars all within a cobalt blue and gilded cavetto and rimmed with an extravagant baroque border of scrolling acanthus and flowerheads. One of the few examples where we can attribute a Chinese export porcelain design to a European artist, in this case Maria Sybille Merian of the Netherlands (1646-1717). She remarkably traveled extensively in the Dutch West Indies when it was not a very comfortable or hospitable time for women to do so, making insect and botanical studies which were eventually published upon her return home.  The design of this plate taken from one such engraving. A beautiful object and fascinating piece of history from the great age of exploration.  Measuring 9″ in diameter and in very good condition.  Illustrated and discussed in David  Howard’s Choice of the Private Trader, page 78.  Circa 1735.

A great opportunity to have a matched pair of Chinese export porcelain 8″ hexagonal cachepots with undertrays, vibrantly decorated with a continuous courtly Mandarin scene, richly enameled and detailed, each flared pot resting in a conforming footed stand with swirling dragon-decorated rim and floral and butterfly borders. Rare to have a matched pair with undertrays, especially in such a good size with such interesting decoration.  Very good condition with only re-touch to a few small spots of enamel loss.  Circa 1820.

An over-sized Chinese export porcelain covered cream jug hand-decorated with wonderful exotic birds perched amongst the branches of a budding tree.  Measuring 6 3/4″ this cream jug (or possibly hot-water pot?) was decorated in China with the underglaze blue diapered borders and then the  pot was shipped blank to the Netherlands where Dutch decorators could finish it with designs to their customers’ liking. This piece in very good condition and with its cover with its original silver chain, is in the same pattern as a charming teapot we also have, also Item #7637.  Circa 1750. Priced individually.

A pair of nicely molded Chinese porcelain libation cups modeled in the form of classic rhinoceros horn cups, molded with images of prunus, dragons, deer and tigers. Each measuring approximately 2 1/4″ x 4″ and in good condition.  Dating to the late 17th/early 18th century one, remarkably, is inscribed at the base.

A fine pair of Chinese export porcelain blanc-de-chine libation cups, each modeled in the form of a lotus blossom (the symbol of purity) with butterflies and insects, both raised upon a scalloped base, the underside centered with the base of the stem of the blossom.  Measuring 2 1/4″ x 3 1/2″ and in good condition; one with a firing line to the wall of the cup.  18th century.

A finely hand-painted Chinese export porcelain Sepia Fitzhugh oval platter with a central medallion bearing the initials RF  from a dinner service made for Rodney Fisher (1798-1863) of Philadelphia. Fisher was from one of the oldest families in Philadelphia, his direct ancestor having come to Pennsylvania with William Penn 1682. He was a prominent Philadelphia merchant and served as unofficial United States consul in Canton from 1825-1827 – presumably when this service was ordered.  This is one of several American Market services made around this time in this color Fitzhugh pattern – all exemplifying this extraordinarily detailed decoration.  Measuring 8 3/4″ x 11 1/2″ and in good condition.  Fisher’s life detailed in Philadelphians and the China Trade, page 185.

A very charming Chinese export teapot decorated in underglaze blue with diapered bands bordering a central design of two exotic birds perched on the branches of an expansive budding tree.  The birds a rather unusual mix resembling cockatoos, yet colorfully plumed as parrots in an attempt no doubt to create an ‘exotic’ scene’  for the Dutch market.  The underglaze blue diapered borders were most probably done in China and then the piece was shipped to the Netherlands where it decorated and fired in the overglaze design we enjoy here. The colors and scene as delightful as the day they were painted. Measuring 5 1/2″ x 7″ and in very good condition. Mid-18th century.

An especially interesting Chinese export porcelain 18th century teapot hand-painted with convivial Mandarin scenes within gilded cartouches in reserve against a black diapered ground alternating with puce landscape vignettes, this motif continued on to the cover which is topped with a gilded crown knop.  Also, rather unusual is spout and handle meticulously painted with a red and black diapered pattern.  Measuring 5″ x 8″, in very good condition, and dating to 1770-1780.

A rather rare Chinese export porcelain scalloped edge spoon tray decorated with a lavender plume design against a yellow diapered ground. This rather European baroque motif is attributed to Cornelius Pronk, a Dutch artist who was employed by the Dutch East India Company to produce designs for export porcelain.  His small group of concepts produced in Chinese export – and even interpreted onto Japanese wares as well – are much sought after by collectors as they represent some of the few designs by known European artists for Chinese porcelain. This striking color combination is also rather rare as these colors were difficult (and costly) to produce.  The 5″ x 3 1/2″ tray is in very good condition and bears the collection sticker of Antoine LeBel.  Circa 1736.

A great Chinese export porcelain 12″ oval platter made for the American market, specifically for a successful citizen of New York City, is finely hand-painted in sepia enamel in the Fitzhugh pattern and centered with a central rondel bearing the initial H.  From a service ordered for John Hone (1764-1832) who, as the son of a German immigrant carpenter, exemplified the American dream, raising a family of sixteen children and rising through New York society in the early 19th century with the fortune from an an auction company he started as well as being the first president of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company and was Mayor of New York during Lafayette’s triumphant return visit to the city in 1825. In addition to the early New York provenance, this is simply a brilliant example of the Fitzhugh pattern.  Illustrated and discussed in New York and the China Trade, p. 116. Very good condition. Circa 1825.

A handsome bombe form Chinese export porcelain teapot hand-decorated with an image of an American eagle clutching a group of arrows, a halo of seventeen gilded stars about his head and surmounted by the original owners’ monogram JMC, the cover and shoulder of the pot decorated with a classical gilded grapevine border. The service was owned by John and Margaret Christian of Reading, in Berks county, Pennsylvania, John (1786-1869) having emigrated to Philadelphia in 1808.  The pot after silver forms of the period and in good condition with only a small X-form crack to the base barely visible, minor wear to the gilding, and the inside of the collar with small restoration to the edge where the cover rests – not visible when the cover is in place.  Measuring 10″ x 6″, the eagle certainly one of the more unique versions the the Great Seal of the United States used upon export wares for the American market at this time.  Circa 1810-1820.

A handsome Chinese export porcelain drum teapot with strap handles, from a service made for the American market, decorated with a rich orange and gilded neoclassical style swag border and centered with a sepia landscape roundel surmounted by the original owner’s initials RB. This is the third example of this service that we know of and the other two were made for identifiable American families, so this must have  been a popular pattern at the time in the latest neoclassical taste. Very good condition.  Circa 1800. Very good condition with only slight wear to the gilding.

A charming Chinese export porcelain handled cup and saucer finely painted in Famille Rose enamels with a lone Mandarin scholar sitting on a rock in a rolling landscape featuring horses and pigs and piglets amongst palm trees, as well as a central roundel featuring two deer along a riverbank with two crabs in the water.  Certainly one of the more unusual Mandarin subjects we’ve seen on porcelain of this period.  The saucer measuring 6″ in diameter and the cup 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ – the form after English handled cups of the period.  Circa 1810-1820.

Two fine examples of Chinese export porcelain made for the Indian market, this pair of scalloped edge 9 1/2″ plates is hand painted in Famille Rose enamels with a nicely detailed central image of an Indian Mahout and his elephant, all surrounded by a border of bianco-sopra-bianco  floral decoration overlaid with individual flowerheads. There’s a long tradition of this sort of densely rendered overall decoration in Indian decorative arts and so both the subject and border would certainly have had an appeal to the Indian market. One plate possibly with a line sealed to the reverse, otherwise very good condition with no signs of heavy wear. Last quarter of the 18th century.

A good example of a Chinese export porcelain tea bowl, made for the American market, hand-painted with the image of a ship, its sails furled, flying two American flags. With a very small rim chip filled and a very short line sealed, otherwise in good condition with a well-painted ship and flags. Measuring 2″ x 3 1/2″ and dating to circa 1800. 

A fine Chinese export porcelain punch pot of substantial size hand-painted in Famille Rose enamels with two large roundels depicting a Mandarin scene upon a garden terrace against a gilded foliate ground with bird and floral vignettes, the cover surmounted with a peach knop and with matching decoration, the ‘crabstock’ handle and spout gilded.  Measuring 7 1/2″ x 10″ and in very good condition with only a tiny nibble out of the end of the spout and the handle with some gilding loss from use.  A fine sized piece for presentation and display.  Late 18th century, the gilding of a similar pattern used upon Palaceware services circa 1795.

An especially fine Chinese export porcelain handled cup, often referred to as a ‘can’, and saucer, very well-painted with detailed Mandarin scenes in Famille Rose enamels in reserve against a fantastically rich and detailed gilt ground of scrolling decoration, along with sepia vignettes of birds and landscapes and edged with a flowerhead border.  The artistry of these pieces is just masterful, the level of detail mind-boggling, note the game board the ladies are playing on the saucer, and the root chair a lady is sitting in, not to mention all the landscape scenes. This was some of the most expensive special-order export porcelain one could commission at the time and given the time-consuming detail and gilding that is understandable.  In addition, the elaborate gilding is frequently worn on these pieces and these are in remarkably good condition.  Often also referred to as the Rockefeller Pattern as Nelson Rockefeller owned a complete service in a similar pattern!  The saucer 5 3/4″ in diameter, the can 2 3/4″ tall.  Circa 1790-1805.

A fine Chinese export porcelain oval platter, decorated in vibrant Famille Rose enamels, painted with a central scene of courtly Mandarin ladies upon a garden terrace being watched with great interest by a gentleman in a pavilion window.  The scene within a gilded and orange enamel border of dragons which symbolize strength, power, and good luck for people who are worthy of it, amongst swirling clouds and flaming pearls.  Good condition, measuring 11 1/2″ x 14 1/2″. Circa 1810-1820.

A rather rare Chinese export porcelain 9″ plate decorated with Famille Rose enamels with a rare European subject depicted The Wounded Hussar, obviously made for the Western market and taken from a mezzotint of the same name after a painting by George Carter, c. 1776. The central image bordered with a lattice edge and centered at the top with a shield and crest with a pseudo cipher.   Perhaps commissioned to celebrate an enemy’s humiliating defeat?  Circa 1780.

A beautiful Chinese Dehua Blanc-de-chine censor of simple, elegant form with charming Foo Lion mask handles after earlier archaic forms.  Very good condition and measuring 3″ tall x 5 1/2″ in diameter. Late 17th/early 18th century.

A spectacular Chinese export porcelain armorial platter, hand-painted in a rich Famille Rose palette with Mandarin decoration depicting a rather animated scene of some sort of Imperial court theatrical being performed for various nobles and dignitaries and all within a rather rare and unusual Chinese riverscape border centered with a family crest and motto at the top. From a service made for the English market bearing the Arms of Waterhouse and ordered for the Waterhouse family of Halifax, Yorkshire. The detailed border as rich and varied as the central scene itself. Illustrated and discussed in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 787.  Very good condition and measuring an impressive 17″.  Jiaqing period, circa 1805.

A very elegant Chinese export porcelain 15″ punchbowl hand-painted in Famille Rose enamels with a continuous scene of Mandarin figures taking their leisure in a landscape around the exterior, a gilded spearhead border rims the interior edge with peony blossoms centering the bottom of the bowl.  The enamels subtle and the painting finely detailed – note the silk patterns of their robes. A wonderful piece with only three lines sealed, otherwise very good condition, the decoration intact.  Qianlong period, circa 1770.

A truly elegant Yongzheng period Chinese export porcelain flare-rimmed bowl hand-painted in the Chinese taste with decorated with images of koi fish amongst seaweed with a rich gilded grapevine border.  In addition to the koi being portrayed in various elegant poses capturing their movements in water,  they also represent auspicious wishes for wealth, as well as symbolizing tenacity and courage. This remarkable 7″ bowl was obviously treasured for over two centuries as there is only  a short 1/4″ line to the rim sealed, otherwise very fine condition.  Yongzheng period, circa 1730.

A charming and richly detailed pair of Chinese export porcelain handled cups and saucers made for the American market each piece depicting the scene of a Sailor’s Farewell with a heartbroken young lady embracing her departing beau as he gestures to the ship he is about to board in the distance which appears to be flying an American flag.  Poignantly, a pair of love birds are flying apart in the sky above, and a nicely detailed village view completes the scene.  All rendered in a puce enamel, most likely taken from an engraving of the period and very unusual to be incorporating the flag of the newly created American republic on the ship.  Very minor rim roughness corrected, and some minor wear and re-touch to enamels, otherwise very good condition. Late 18th century.

Two fine examples of Chinese export porcelain made for the early American market, these two teawares are each hand-painted with three-masted ships with their sails furled, and each flying two American flags of the early republic. The 5″ dome-shouldered tea caddy with a minute line to the neck sealed; the   3 1/2″ diameter teabowl with three hairlines sealed, otherwise all in very good condition.  The caddy with a Marchant/London  sticker of the bottom.  Circa 1800. The caddy SOLD, the tea bowl still available

A great pair of Chinese export reticulated armorial baskets and undertrays, made for the English market and bearing the Arms of Snodgrass from a special order service made for Thomas Snodgrass in service to the East India Company in Madras.  Illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 727.  One basket with both handles restored, the other basket with one handle restored; otherwise in remarkably good condition.  Circa 1800.

A fine pair of Chinese export porcelain Kangxi period Famille Verte punch pots each decorated with panels of flowering branches amongst rockwork and butterflies and each marked G on the bottom.  This cryptic mark has occasionally appeared over the years on pieces we’ve acquired, and although we have yet to ascertain who or what G represents, it always appears on piece of superior quality of export from this period.  Each pot measuring approximately 6 1/4″ high x 10″ wide.  One with a line to the bottom, the other in good condition. Kangxi period, circa 1700-1720.  Priced individually.

A fine strap-handled Chinese export porcelain cider jug decorated with Famille Rose enamels with a wonderfully detailed Mandarin scene and colorful butterflies and floral sprigs, the jug and cover edged with a rich gilded dragon border and surmounted by a gilded foo lion finial. Measuring approximately  9 1/2″ tall with  restoration to a chip on the lip, handle, and u hairline to the body . A superlative example of Mandarin decoration.  Circa 1810-18

A truly fine Yongzheng period Chinese export porcelain 14″ armorial charger made for the English market, centered with the ARMS OF ELWICK against a backdrop of a very finely painted soft grisaille landscape, the rim meticulously rendered in a fine grisaille and gilded diapered border with reserves of further landscape views, centered at the top with the Elwick crest, the outer edge with a scrolling gilded foliate design.  The service was ordered for John Elwick, a Director of the East India Company from 1713-1720.  Illustrated and discussed in David Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 234. This service with its understated elegance and refinement of decoration exemplifies the Yongzheng period. Circa 1730.

Vol. I, page 214.