A truly elegant Chinese export porcelain Yongzheng period plate made for the Dutch market, richly hand-painted in Famille Rose enamels, centered with a large central gilded shield bearing a fleur-de-lys and surmounted by knight’s helmet crest within flamboyant foliate surround, the cavetto diapered in pink with reserves of flowering branches, the floral motif continued around the rim with rich peony decoration and centered at the top with a crown and stag’s horn crest.  Bearing the Arms of Swellengrebel, almost certainly from a service made for Sergius Swellengrebel  (1694-1760) a Governor for the Dutch East India Company in the Cape Colony of South Africa. The history of the governing of the Dutch VOC colonies and outposts is discussed in detail in Kroes’ Chinese Armorial Porcelain for the Dutch Market, and this service in particular is illustrated and described on page 178 where the author points out design influences from similar English bespoke services of the period. Measuring 9″ in diameter with only a very small rim chip of two pieces out and restored, otherwise a beautiful plate in good condition.  Circa 1730-1735.