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English Armorial – ‘The Arms of Snodgrass’ Mug #7816

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

 

Fine Mandarin Cider Jug #7785 Sold

A handsome and richly enameled Chinese export porcelain strap-handled cider jug hand-painted with a continuous courtly Mandarin scene running around its body depicting a nobleman or high official holding court and receiving guests, seated before a grand screen while an attendant brings in bowls of rice. Measuring 11″ tall and with some restoration. Circa 1810-1820.  $1,650.00

 

Unique Pattern Armorial Hot Water Dish

A richly enameled and detailed Chinese export porcelain armorial hot water dish made for the English market, hand-painted with a fantastic scene of a mounted warrior and soldiers entering the courtyard of a grand residence while the master of the house and two ladies look down upon the action from a balcony above. Painted in this rare instance with the scene running across the surface of the entire plate without any confining  borders, and with the coat of arms boldly placed in a large oval right in the center. A rare and unusual design making this one of the most sought-after patterns of this period (circa 1810), the arms suggested to be those of either Wight or Bradley by David Howard where a similar dish is illustrated in his book Chinese Armorial Porcelain, vol. I, page 787.  Circa 1820.  $3,900.00

 

#7783cd Pair of Very Fine Palaceware Plates

An especially fine pair of Chinese export porcelain Palaceware-patterned soup plates each with painstakingly hand-painted gilt lattice borders with reserves of sepia landscapes surrounding central scenes depicting calligrapher Wang Xizhi on his garden terrace seated at his desk receiving the gift of a goose from an admirer of his work. Considered one of China’s ‘Four Greatest Calligraphers’, this 4th century artist was said to have been fond of having geese around him as he based his brushwork and wrist techniques on the movements of birds’ necks, hence the subject of the scene on these plates.  It is remarkable that centuries later, this legend would be used to decorate a very fine quality dinner service intended for the western market where the story would be completely lost on the diners enjoying their meals!  Measuring 9 3/4″ in diameter, the enamels vibrant, the detail remarkable -note the scholars’ objects on his desk – and in very good condition.  Circa 1795-1810.  $2,250.00 each.

 

#7882 Pair of Elegant Palaceware Soup Plates

An especially fine pair of Chinese export porcelain Palaceware -patterned soup plates each with painstakingly hand-painted gilt lattice borders with reserves of sepia landscapes surrounding central scenes depicting calligrapher Wang Xizhi on his garden terrace seated at his desk receiving the gift of a goose from an admirer of his work. Considered one of China’s ‘Four Greatest Calligraphers’, this 4th century artist was said to have been fond of having geese around him as he based his brushwork and wrist techniques on the movements of birds’ necks, hence the subject of the scene on these plates. It is remarkable that centuries later, this legend would be used to decorate a very fine quality dinner service intended for the western market where the story would be completely lost on the diners enjoying their meal!  Measuring 9 3/4″ in diameter, the enamels vibrant, the detail remarkable -note the scholars’ objects on his desk – and in very good condition.  Circa 1795-1810.  $2,350.00 each.

 

Presidential Service Ulysses S. Grant Plate #7820

An especially fine example of Chinese export porcelain made for the American market, this 8″ Rose Medallion plate is from a special order service made for U.S. Civil War General and later President, Ulysses S. Grant. Hand-painted in Famille Rose enamels in the classic Rose Medallion design with reserves of courtly Mandarin figures alternating with vignettes of birds, flowers, and butterflies against a tightly packed gilded ground with scrolling vines, all centered with a roundel bearing the monogram USG within a laurel crown. The extensive service ordered by Mrs. Grant from China trade merchant Daniel Ammen (whose service also remains extant) and presumably used in the White House during the Grant administration. With a chip to the rim on the reverse and a piece out of the rim restored, otherwise a finely rendered monogram and colorfully enameled pattern from a Presidential service. Illustrated and discussed in Schiffer’s China for America, page 83.  $7,500.00.

 

 

“Flower Gods’ Plates #7780 ( 8 SOLD)

A charming pair of Chinese export porcelain 8″ plates vibrantly rendered in Famille Rose enamels with images of the Twelve Flower Gods each posed in a garden landscape of rockwork with blossoming trees and each holding their attributes of individual blossoms, the plates centered with a floral roundel and detailed with gilded edges. Also represented is a figure of Zhong Kui the ‘Vanquisher of Ghosts and Evil Beings’. The Twelve Flower Gods are male and female gods and goddesses  each representing a different month of the year and its corresponding flowers. These plates must have always been treasured for their charming decoration as their is very little, if any evidence of wear to the enamels.  Measuring 8″ in diameter and dating to circa 1820.  $900.00 the pair.

 

Beautiful Large 16″ Rockefeller Platter #7746

A wonderful large Chinese export porcelain ‘Rockefeller Pattern’ oval platter displaying all the richness and attention to detail for which these wares are known, featuring a very finely hand-painted scene – as good a quality as any screen, or scroll painting – featuring a family boating party having pulled their craft ashore and enjoying a picnic beneath a tree. A wonderful view of family life two centuries ago, all set within a puce diapered border with with bird and iron red landscape vignettes and the rim border with further landscapes in reserve against a rich and elaborately scrolling gilded border. The attention to detail and the many specialized skills it took to create this variety of decoration was why this was one of the most expensive special order services available at the time. Evidence of some restoration to the upper left rim on the reverse, other than that good condition.  Measuring 16″ x 13 1/2″ and dating to circa 1795.  $8,500.00

 

American Market Rose Medallion Plate #7727

A fine example of Chinese export porcelain made for the American market in the later 19th century, hand-painted in the Rose Medallion pattern with alternating floral and figural vignettes against a densely packed floral ground, centered a reserve bearing the gilded Gothic initial A most likely for DANIEL AMMEN (1820-1898) an American naval officer whose life-long career, postings, and accomplishments would fill this page. (See Wikipedia).  Measuring 9 3/4″ in diameter and in very good condition. Circa 1865-1868.

 

American Market Rose Medallion BAILEY Plate #7715

A Chinese export porcelain 9 3/4″ Rose Medallion dinner plate hand-painted with a central roundel with a gilded initial B surrounded by four vignettes of courtly scenes and birds amongst flowering branches, all in reserve against a densely painted floral and foliate ground with butterflies and gilded rim. The central initial B within a shield is for the prominent Bailey family of Newport and New York. The patriarch of the family was one William Bailey who was one of the first settlers of Newport, Rhode Island is in known to have dies sometime before 1670.  Bailey’s Beach in Newport remains to this day, named for this family. With some minor stacking wear, otherwise in good condition. Circa 1860-1862.

 

Pair of Famille Rose Wall Figures #7654

A very charming pair of Chinese export porcelain figures of a man and a woman reclining with their heads resting in their hands, designed to be hung on a wall, their forms complimenting each other perfectly.  We have not seen this form before, perhaps a gift to a couple, a symbol of connubial harmony? Approximately 8″ long, dating to the 19th century?

American Market Tablewares, Nantucket Provenance

A group of fine Chinese export porcelain tablewares made for the American market, vibrantly edged in a beautiful apple green border with gilded detail – each piece with a small gilded floral sprig. In addition to their decorative quality, they have a history of descent in the Russell-Macy-Starbuck families of Nantucket. The simple design would have appealed to the Quaker aesthetic of these prominent island families at the time and the apple green enamel border was relatively rare on Chinese export wares as we know of only one other service made for the American market and that went into New haven, CT.  The group comprises; a large 15″ oval platter; an 11″ reticulated basket and undertray and a pair of covered strap-handled pots-de-cremes. All in very good condition with only the basket handles with restoration and they appear to be original. Early 19th century. $2,800.00 the group.

 

Vividly Painted Mandarin Dish #7335c

A very finely enameled Chinese export porcelain diamond-form serving dished with a molded border, painted with a central scene depicting a pair of elegant ladies sitting upon a terrace (note the detailed ‘root’ chair) while they listen and watch as elderly lady reads and admires a calligraphic scroll being held out for her scrutiny by two attendants, a lady’s maid fans and cools her during her scholarly pursuit. All set within a very elaborate floral and foliate border.  Measuring 9″ x 10″ and in very good condition. Beautiful, bright enamels. Dating to circa 1830.  $675.00

Handsome 13″ ‘Arms of Oliphant’ Dish #7343

A very fine Chinese export porcelain quatrefoil-form serving dish, made for the English market, bearing the Arms of Oliphant impaling Browne. Measuring 9″ x 13″ and in very good condition, one of three services made with these arms, and dating to circa 1800, though the dealer label from Matthew and Elisabeth Sharpe have it dated a bit earlier. Discussed and illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 725.    $1250.