A very attractive pair of Chinese export porcelain soup plates made for the American market, decorated in Famille Rose enamels with an elegant Chinese landscape within a gilded spearhead border, the rim encircled with images of the Eight Immortals and centered at the top with a gilded monogram for DeWitt and Maria Clinton of New York.  In addition to this being one of the most decoratively beautiful services made for the American market, it was ordered for one of the most remarkable statesmen of the New Republic as DeWitt Clinton, as Governor of New York, was one of the driving forces in the building of the Erie Canal which made New York city into the financial powerhouse that it remains to this day.  He had also served in the New York State, was Mayor of New York, and at time ran for President. Both his father and uncle served in the Revolution.  Illustrated and discussed in New York and the China Trade, page 77.  Measuring 9″ across, in very good condition and dating to circa 1805.

A very fine example of a Chinese export porcelain mug made for the American market hand-painted with a three-masted ship flying two American flags, with a delicate floral and dotted border and double strap handle. Restoration to handle, otherwise in very good condition, measuring 4 1/2″ tall and dating to circa 1800. Excellent rendering of the ship.

A very handsome example of a Chinese export porcelain eagle-decorated dinner plate, made for the American market and undoubtedly part of a special-order dinner service whose patriotic owner remains to this point a mystery. Centered with a finely rendered sepia eagle supporting a blue and gold-striped shield, a banner reading E Pluribus Unum held in the bird’s beak floats above his head encircled in clouds and against a star-filled sky all within an elaborate gilded classical-style border. A dinner service made for John C. Calhoun bears a similar eagle design. Some wear to the gilding, otherwise very good condition. Measuring 9 3/4″ in diameter and dating to circa 1825.

A finely modeled Chinese export porcelain figure of a recumbent spaniel, of impressive size and charming presence (look at that face!) Beautifully hand-painted and measuring 7″ tall x 9 1/2″ long. Restored. Dating to the Qianlong period, 1736-1796.

An unusual version of a ship-decorated bowl made for the early American market, this 10″ punch bowl is hand-painted with a large blue star-studded “Jack” flag which denoted that there was either an ambassador aboard or that the ship was on a diplomatic mission of some sort.  This flag remained in use aboard United States naval ships until the early 20th century. The bowl measuring 10″ in diameter and restored. Circa 1800.

A charming and possibly unique design, this wonderful 4″ tall mug with rope twist handle is finely painted with the image of a dove perched upon a classical plinth beneath a banner inscribed AMERICA with the partial image of a ship in the distance flying a nicely detailed American flag from its stern. The plinth monogrammed with the yet unknown owner’s initials, though most likely the ship’s captain or supercargo. Very good condition. Circa 1795-1810.

A very charming pair of diminutive Chinese porcelain brush washers modeled in the form of Chinese shoes cast with relief detailing of black against a green enamel ground. In Chinese culture, shoes symbolize wealth as their shape resembles silver ingots. And, in combination with a mirror, they mean “together and in harmony”.  This harmonious little pair measuring 3 1/2″ long is in very good condition with only a slight hairline to the interior of one shoe. Kangxi period, circa  1700.

A nice form to complement any Chinese export porcelain collection-this lovely oval form serving dish is painstakingly hand-painted in the Orange Fitzhugh pattern. Measuring 9 3/4″ x 12 1/2″ and in very good condition. Circa 1825.

A beautiful example of special-order China Trade porcelain for the American Market, this richly gilded-border 9 3/4″ plate is centered with a sepia rendered spread eagle supporting a blue and gilded stripe shield, clutching a banner in its beak inscribed E Pluribus Unum beneath a halo of clouds and stars. The eagle taken from an early version of the Great Seal of the United States. In very good condition with only a minute 1/4″ hairline sealed to the reverse rim. Early 19th century.

A great form, this lovely Chinese export porcelain kidney-shaped dish is wonderfully decorated in vibrant Famille Rose enamels centered with a scene of courtly gentlemen seated on a garden terrace with their attendants, all within a border of exotic bird vignettes alternating with raspberry enameled diapering, bamboo branches, and gilded scrolls. Measuring 8 1/4″ x 11 1/4″ and in very good condition. Circa 1810-1820.

A great example of Chinese export porcelain made for the new American republic-this breakfast tea bowl and saucer are finely hand-painted with images of a ship under sail flying two American flags. From the Root service, and once in the collection of Elinor Gordon and exhibited at the Baltimore Museum, it is considered one of the best ship renderings on export ware of this period. Restoration to the saucer and piece out of the tea bowl and re-attached. The saucer measuring 6″ in diameter, the tea bowl 4″. Circa 1800.

A charming and rare-sized Chinese export porcelain mug, made for the American market, hand-painted with a sepia spread eagle supporting a blue and gold shield beneath a faint halo of gilded stars, along with a twisted rope handle and blue dot borders. These mugs most often came in graduated sets so this most likely was the smallest in the group-perfect for a very patriotic child! Measuring 3 1/2″ tall and with a line running along side the handle and onto the bottom of the mug-all professionally sealed-the eagle design in original condition. Circa 1800-1810.

A charming Chinese export porcelain teapot of molded form-the cover and lower portion of the pot shaped to resemble lotus petals and the lotus motif continues on the bottom of the piece as an applied lotus bud and stem which forms the feet upon which the piece rest. The hand-painted images of koi are a symbol of conjugal harmony as they are believed to mate for life. This is an excellent example of the fantastical sort of  Chinese teawares that enthralled European consumers in the 18th century. In remarkably good condition. Measuring 4 1/2″ tall x 6″ wide. Circa 1735.

Yongzheng quality at its best-this thinly potted and meticulously hand-painted pair of Chinese export porcelain tea bowls and saucers are decorated in famille rose enamels with cartouches of peony blossoms against a gilded diapered ground. Very good condition, the saucers measuring 4 1/2″ in diameter, the tea bowls approximately 1 1/2″ tall-reflecting the pure luxury and rarity of tea in Europe at this time. Circa 1730.

A fine 4 3/4″ tall Chinese export porcelain mug centered with an image of  a British ship, its sails furled, its cannons ready and flying two English Union Jacks. A good example of late 18th/early 19th century maritime history. Very good condition. Circa 1800.

A beautifully decorated Chinese export porcelain 9″ dinner plate hand-painted en grisaille with gilded details with a central image of the Nativity within an elaborate scrolling and foliate rococo border. Almost certainly taken from a European print source, the painter meticulously rendering the scene in the line work and crosshatching he was copying from an engraved print. Very good condition with only a slight line to the rim of the reverse. Circa 1745.

A rare, large-sized Chinese export porcelain footed punch or wine pot, of hexagonal form, decorated in Famille Rose enamels with vignettes of phoenix and peony, hawks perched upon prunus branches amongst chrysanthemum, and figural scenes of women and children as well as a band of shaped panels with stylized dragons in relief around the neck of the pot. The conforming cover with further floral motifs and figures a playful boys, surmounted by a lotus bud knop.  The form similar to European hexagonal silver pots of the early 18th century. In remarkably good condition, measuring 7″ tall x 9″ wide and dating to circa 1740-1750. One image showing the pot for size in comparison to another more typical of the period.

A very fine Chinese export porcelain punch bowl of impressive size, measuring 14″ in diameter, and richly decorated in vibrant enamels-the entire exterior covered with detailed Mandarin scenes within scrolling rococo style cartouches alternating with vignettes of abundant flowering baskets, all against a meticulously hand-painted diapered ground with gilded details throughout.  The basket of flowers motif continues, centered within a roundel at the bottom of the bowl, the rim with floral rose swags in the European style. In very good condition, with only a minute rim chip and associated line professionally sealed. A very fine example. Circa 1770.

Another fine piece of Yongzheng porcelain from our collection, this lovely Chinese export porcelain tea bowl and saucer are decorated in Famille Rose enamels, the pieces divided into quadrants, two are hand-painted with prancing kylin against richly enameled grounds with scrolling peony.  These alternate with vignettes of birds perched on prunus branches, all centered with a chrysanthemum roundel. Both pieces finely potted, the quality of porcelain and painting one expects from this brief period. Very good condition. Circa 1730.

A very well-painted Chinese export porcelain tea bowl and saucer, thinly potted and decorated en grisaille with figures in a Chinese landscape.  We usually think of this grisaille method of decoration used for European special orders such as designs taken from engravings with Western subject matter, so we were delighted to have found a piece done in the Chinese taste.  Very good condition. Late Yongzheng early Qianlong period. Circa 1740.

Two pairs of very well-painted Chinese export porcelain 8″ plates rendered in Famille Rose enamels, all depicting colorful and detailed Mandarin scenes within elaborate raspberry-enameled diapered borders with exotic bird vignettes and gilded highlights. Pair ‘A’ features a lady of some importance being pushed about a garden in a wheel chair with a parasol while being greeting by officials, along with a second plate depicts a lady with her attendant being approached  in a landscape by a messenger or supplicant of some sort. Pair ‘B’ offers a plate with a pair of scholars seated at a marble table on an outdoor terrace about to be served their tea, along with another plate painted with a noble lady seated on a root chair with her attendants in an elaborate hall, listening to a musician perform upon the guzheng. Note the detail of the marble screen behind her, the elaborate floor tiles and even the miniature tray garden near the musician-a remarkable snapshot of life! Measuring 8″ in diameter and in very good condition with only the exception of slight stacking wear commensurate with age. Circa 1820.

PAIR A

PAIR B

A truly beautiful form, and superbly decorated in underglaze blue, this Chinese porcelain brush pot of simple flared cylindrical form is hand-painted with figures in a landscape being viewed from an attendant in a window and a scholar’s studio with his desk visible through an open door.  Excellent condition. Chenghua mark on the bottom as well as an old Chait collection sticker. Circa 1640-1660.

A superb pair of Chinese export porcelain octagonal armorial soup plates of interest to both American and English market collectors as it is one of three services made for Samuel Vaughan, an English merchant and planter in Jamaica, who married Bostonian Sarah Hallowell in 1747.  They relocated to England, but a large portion of the service returned to America after the Revolution when part of the family moved to Hallowell, Maine where they played a prominent role in settling the area in the new republic.  Each piece centered with the arms of Vaughan impaling Hallowell, finely painted, the rims of the plates scattered with floral sprigs, illustrated and discussed on page 576 in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. II. Each measuring 8 1/2″ across; one with two small rim chips on the reverse filled, the other with glaze lines on the reverse which do not show through, otherwise splendid enamels in good condition. Circa 1770.

A rather rare Chinese export porcelain punch bowl decorated with equestrian hunting motifs, finely painted with two sepia roundels depicting huntsmen with their horses and hounds, alternating with two roundels depicting country house landscapes. The images and bowl rim edged with overglaze blue and gilded borders, the bottom interior with a basket of flowers design. It is suggested that these bowls were made for export to not only England but also for the American mid-Atlantic and southern colonies where the English aristocratic lifestyle with pursuits, such a fox hunting, was emulated. This is a fine example measuring 13 1/2″ in diameter with three lines restored, otherwise in very good condition, especially the finely rendered scenes-most likely taken from engravings of the period.  A similar example in the collections at Winterthur. Circa 1785.

A truly extraordinary example of Chinese export porcelain made for the American market, this beautiful pair of  covered pots-de-cremes is from a service made for our third, and one of our greatest, American presidents, Thomas Jefferson. The pattern-a simple underglaze blue spearhead border with gilded highlights, typical of the aesthetic of the Federal period-is augmented with an armorial crest surmounted by knight’s helmet flanked by flourishes and bellflower swags above a shield centered with a gilded initial J.  With a long history of descent in the Jefferson family, this service was auctioned off after Jefferson’s death in 1826 by his granddaughter Ellen Wayles Randolph, part of a massive sale of personal property made necessary by the staggering debt in which Jefferson left his estate. The service was later reacquired by Ellen Randolph’s grandson for the family and pieces were eventually lent out to various public collections for exhibition; four pieces were donated to the White House in 1906 and are still in their possession. It has been suggested that Governor and Mrs. Christopher Gore of Massachusetts, while on a diplomatic mission to London, ordered the service for President Jefferson as they ordered an identical one for themselves with the initial G. With many thanks to Becky McGuire, Christies, New York for her research. This specific pair of pots-de-creme has a history of descent in the family of Thomas Jefferson Coolidge of Boston. Both pieces in fine condition, measuring 3″ tall. Circa 1800-1810.

A fine piece of Chinese export Transitional/Kangxi period porcelain decorated in underglaze blue with a charming scene of three young children frolicking in a landscape as their mother proudly looks on. Beautifully potted, painted and glazed quality typical of this period. The marked silver top most likely Dutch and a later addition, complimenting the fine blue decoration, and allowing for what probably was a baluster vase to be transformed into a very impressive tea caddy. Measuring 8″ tall and in very good condition. Transitional/Kangxi period, circa 1640-1660.

A very beautiful Chinese export porcelain 9″ lotus-form dish decorated in Famille Verte enamels with a central scene of flowering peony amongst rockwork, the theme continued on a smaller scale filling each lotus petal panel around the rim of the dish.  We have had these dishes with the design painted in underglaze blue many times over the past years but this is the first example we’ve enjoyed in this striking color palette. Measuring 9″ across, and with two pieces out of the rim of restored perfectly, otherwise fine condition. Circa 1700-1710.

A beautifully rendered example of this well-known design-this Chinese export porcelain 8″ plate is decorated in underglaze blue with a scene from the “Riot of Rotterdam”.  As the story goes, a magistrate of the city passed an especially cruel and excessive verdict upon a local miscreant for a crime. So outraged were the citizens of the city over this miscarriage of justice that they rioted, attacked the magistrate’s house, and razed it to the ground. This act of public defiance to overbearing injustice became famous and was widely reported throughout Europe, the Dutch even struck a medallion to commemorate the action and it is from this medallion that the design for the plate was most likely taken. This is the first European historical event that is rendered upon a piece of Chinese porcelain. Dating to the Kangxi period, in very good condition, circa 1695-1700.

A beautiful Chinese export porcelain armorial platter and mazzarene, measuring 13″ x 16″, finely hand-painted in vibrant Famille Rose enamels with courtly Mandarin scenes, both scenes centered at the top with the Grant coat-of arms, and both with an outer border with elaborately rendered flowers and butterflies. Made to delight and impress with its richness, from a service most likely made for Sir William Grant who married in 1811. Illustrated and discussed in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, vol. I, page 1002. In very good condition, circa 1815-1820.

With a rather rare American ship decoration, this fine  Chinese export porcelain punch bowl is centered front and back with a hand-painted image of a three-masted  frigate or sloop flying what is referred to as a Jack Flag with a navy blue ground with gold stars. This flag was flown on our ships from 1777 until 1916 and designated the presence of an ambassador or minister of the diplomatic corps on board. This bowl has a mate in the Reeves Collection and is illustrated and discussed on page 212 of Thomas Litzenburg, Jr.’s book Chinese Export Porcelain in the Reeves Collection at Washington and Lee University. Measuring 10 1/4″ in diameter and dating to circa 1795. Two lines and restoration.

A very fine pair of Kangxi Chinese export porcelain tea bowls and saucers, decorated in underglaze blue “penciled” designs, each piece laid out in stylized lotus petal panels, each panel with a tree and flower silhouette-all “penciled” in with lattice cross-hatching. Exquisitely thinly potted, with only very minute rim nibbles, very good condition, the saucers measuring 4 1/2″ in diameter.  Circa 1690.

A fine Chinese export porcelain Yongzheng period plate, hand-painted with Famille Rose enamels with a scene of a pair of pheasants perched amongst rockwork and flowering peony within a finely rendered gilded foliate cavetto, the rim with flowering branches and butterflies. The pheasant was the symbol of refinement and would have been a perfect choice of subject for such a refined piece as this with it’s muted tones and perfectly balanced white space-all so typical of the Yongzheng period. The plate measuring 9″ in diameter and, other than a Y-shaped line to the glaze on the reverse, it is in good condition. Circa 1730-35.

A real treasure, truly, this beautifully intact pair of Chinese export porcelain tea bowls and saucers are part of the famous Ca Mau shipwreck cargo that was discovered in 1998 off the coast of south Vietnam. It was  the remains of an early 18th century Chinese junk carrying approximately 130,000 pieces of porcelain on it’s way from Canton to the Dutch port of Batavia (now Jakarta) when it sunk in about 1725. After the cargo was retrieved and catalogued, three Vietnamese museums chose what they wanted for their collections, the remaining 76,000 pieces were sold in a spectacular sale at Sotheby’s in Amsterdam in 2007 that garnered worldwide attention.  Pieces from this shipwreck, needless to say, are sometimes damaged or somewhat degraded having been under salt water for nearly three centuries, but these two examples remain in extraordinarily good condition, finely potted, charmingly hand-painted in underglaze blue, and with much of their original glaze more intact than what one usually sees on these shipwreck pieces. The saucers 4 1/2″ in diameter, the tea bowls 2 3/4″ in diameter. All pieces bearing the Sotheby’s sale stickers; an opportunity to own a piece of a time capsule of the China Trade.  Circa 1725.

A nice example of Chinese export porcelain made for the American market, this dome-shouldered tea caddy is hand-painted on both sides with an image of a three-masted ship under sail, proudly flying two American flags. Small restoration to cover and neck, otherwise good condition. Measuring 4 1/4″ tall x 3″ wide. Circa 1800.

A charming Chinese export porcelain 5 1/2″ bowl made for the American market, from a tea service ordered by Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse of Cambridge, MA. (1754-1846). Inscribed with the gilded initial W within a chain-link bordered roundel featuring the images of two cows in a pasture. The bucolic imagery was not only decorative but also an advertisement for innoculation by cowpox as a preventative vaccine against smallpox. Though the innoculation had been known since early in the 18th century, it was still a very controversial procedure (as it remains today). Dr. Waterhouse innoculated his own children with this method and commemorated the event with a special order tea set. Discussed and illustrated in Schiffer’s China for America, page 174. This bowl most likely the slop bowl from the tea set, with three lines restored, but charming imagery beautifully intact. Circa 1800.

A very elegant Yongzheng period, Chinese export porcelain tea bowl and saucer, very thinly potted with scrolling gilded foliate borders, both pieces centered with meticulously painted armorial of very elaborate design representing the Arms of Baker quartering Cholmley impaling Bateman. David Howard suggests that this service was most likely made for Richard Baker who purchased the estate of Orsett Hall in Essex about 1747. This is one of four services ordered with these arms which demonstrates the prestige and status of Chinese porcelain in English-and European- society at this time. Circa 1735. The saucer measuring 4 1/2″ in diameter and both pieces in very good condition. Illustrated and discussed in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 294.  Formerly in the K.R. Rizk Collection.

A truly lovely and serene Chinese biscuit figure of Guanyin, the “Goddess of Mercy”, decorated in Famille Jaune enamels, beautifully modeled and molded-note her delicate face and the detailed necklace, ruyi scepter, and patterned robe.  Minor restoration at the wrist of one hand, a small potion of the ruyi handle; and one fingertip missing-otherwise beautiful condition. Measuring 9″ tall x 6″ wide. Kangxi period, circa 1700.

A very handsome pair of Chinese export porcelain octagonal form plates, meticulously hand-painted en grisaille with the Arms of Vaughan impaling Hallowell within an elaborate rococo style cartouche and inscribed beneath Samuel Vaughan, the plate rims with delicate bird and landscape vignettes. This is one of three services made for this family and it holds both interesting English and American connections. Samuel Vaughan was a wealthy merchant and Jamaican plantation owner who married Sarah Hallowell of Boston in 1747. Their son, Benjamin Vaughan, though he couldn’t attend elite schools in England because the family were Unitarians, managed to be tutored by famous scientist Joseph Priestly and later graduated from Edinburgh University with a degree in medicine. By the time he had immigrated to Hallowell, Maine in 1799 to land inherited from his mother, he had made the acquaintance of Benjamin Franklin, John Jay and John Adams. Living in remote Maine, he managed to keep a library of similar size to Harvard’s and he garnered degrees from both Harvard and Bowdoin College.                                                                                                                                                                          The plates are in remarkably fine condition, with virtually no wear to the delicate grisaille decoration which was finely rendered to resemble the bookplate engraving that had been sent to Canton to copy. The bookplate, which is in fine condition and suitably framed, is not only an interesting design source pertaining to the commission of the dinner service, but itself was designed by Thomas Chippendale!                                                                                                      The plates are illustrated and discussed in Schiffer’s China for America, page 34, as well as Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, vol. I, page 359.                From a private Boston, Beacon Hill collection.   Circa 1750.

A charming little object, this finely potted Chinese export porcelain tea bowl is decorated in the rare “Plume” pattern in iron red against a black diapered ground. This is one of two versions of this design; the other can be found in lavender and yellow enamels. Both versions were after a small group of designs commissioned by the Dutch East India Company from Dutch artist Cornelius Pronk, to be sent to China and reproduced on porcelain. This is one of the few instances where we can trace a Chinese porcelain design back to an actual European source. Very good condition. Circa 1745.

A  fine Chinese export porcelain armorial tea bowl and saucer very well-painted in Famille Rose enamels with gilded spearhead border, both pieces bearing the Arms of Barrington, Viscount Barrington, with Lovell in pretence. This specific service was made for the 2nd Viscount Barrington, William Wildman (1717-1793) who occupied several high positions in government including Secretary of War and Chancellor of the Exchequer. The viscount’s crown figures predominantly as the crest of the arms and on the reverse of the tea bowl. Minor frits filled and two lines to the saucer and one to the tea bowl sealed, otherwise good condition. Illustrated and discussed in Howard’s Chinese Export Porcelain, Vol. II, page 300. This piece formerly in the K. R. Rizk Collection. Circa 1745.

An exceptional Chinese export porcelain drum form teapot with a double strap handle from a service made for the American market decorated with a hand-painted rendering of a three masted ship flying two American flags. There are several ship-decorated services from this early period of the American China trade and this version is considered one of the finest. From the former collection of Elinor Gordon and once exhibited at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Slight crazing to some small areas,  line sealed across base. Circa 1810.

A striking Chinese export porcelain barbed rim plate, decorated in Famille Rose enamels with a central scene of a fisherman handing a fish into a lady’s basket as she, her child and attendant stand beneath a large peony tree on a stream bank. The surrounding border comprised of alternating floral panels, vibrantly colored, the enamel sitting proud of the surface, all set off by a contrasting black ground. Measuring 9 1/2″ in diameter, with only a small Y-shaped line on the reverse sealed, otherwise a very good condition and dating to circa 1745. Illustrated in Williamson’s book on Famille Rose.

A beautiful form, this pair of Chinese export porcelain leaf-form armorial dishes is decorated in the striking Orange Fitzhugh pattern and is centered with the Arms of Seton quartering Hay. One of four services made for this prominent family of East India merchants-Sir Alexander Seton and three of his sons all being “Company men”. Illustrated and discussed in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. II, page 541. Very good condition with only gilding wear to the stem of one. 7″ long. Circa 1810.

An especially attractive pair of Chinese export porcelain 8″ plates decorated in Famille Rose enamels, each with hand-painted Mandarin scenes of courtly figures, the border especially detailed with lattice work designs alternating with flower baskets and chrysanthemum blossoms all against a scrolling green foliate ground. The richness of detail and vibrant enamels make this pair truly remarkable. Both in very good condition. Circa 1810.