A very impressive piece of Chinese export porcelain, this large pistol-handled chocolate pot is a spectacular tour-de-force of decoration, hand-painted with two very elegant Mandarin scenes within oval reserves as well as smaller fan-shaped floral vignettes all against a dazzling gilt latticework ground.  Almost certainly from a bespoke service, this was some of highest quality porcelain one could order from Canton during this period – this group of gold ground wares frequently referred to as Palaceware, for obvious reasons. This is a large size and a rare form measuring 9 1/2″ tall by 9″ handle to spout. There is a small restored chip to the rim of the cover and a small area of rub to the shoulder of the piece, otherwise, remarkably, the handle and spout seem intact and the scenes and latticework as fresh as they were when they were painted. Circa 1795.