A great piece of  Chinese export porcelain made for the American market, this handled cup and saucer featuring an unusual double heart motif is from a service made for Mehitable Adams (1760-1824) of Braintree, Massachusetts and bears the initials MA flanking the central heart design. One could not ask for a more distinguished American pedigree; Mehitable was not only a member of the distinguished Braintree family and related to second president John Adams, but was also a direct descendant of  John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, passengers on the Mayflower. Mehitable married Joseph Neale Arnold in 1785 and they had eight children; these pieces most likely from around this period.  The heart motif was a popular theme in American folk art, but this is a possibly unique instance of it appearing on Chinese export porcelain.  The saucer measuring 5 1/2″ in diameter, the handled cup 2 3/4″ tall.  The saucer with a line across the back, and the cup with some minor restoration to the handle, otherwise a very attractive and historic survivor.  Circa 1780s-1790s.