A handsome Chinese export porcelain blue and white strap-handled mug centered with a polychrome and gilded Arms of Snodgrass.  From a service made for Thomas Snodgrass who worked for the British East India Company in Madras. He was granted the arms in 1799 and the service stylistically could not have been ordered too long after that – such was the prestige, not only of having a title, but also of being able to display it…even on a simple beer or cider mug such as this. Illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 727. 5″ tall, and with a line sealed to the interior, otherwise, very good collection. Ex-WELD Collection. Circa 1805.  $775.00