18th C. Chinese Export Armorial Plate – Arbuthnott

Chinese export porcelain plate, circa 1745.
 
Dimensions: Approximately 9” in diameter.
 
Decoration: 
The rim is decorated with four harbour scenes of Plymouth and Macao, within gilt and grisaille scrollwork.
 
The cavetto is decorated with a band of gilt spearheads. 
 
The center is decorated with the arms of Arbuthnott, with dragon supporters, and the motto “Laus Deo”.
 
The reverse is undecorated.
 
The service was made for John, 5th Viscount Arbuttnott, boron about 1690.
 
The service is illustrated and discussed in Howard, “Chinese Armorial Porcelain”, Vol. 1., at p. 327.
 
A pair of plates from this service were sold at Christie’s London on April 10, 2002, in The Dr Anton C.R. Dreesmann Collection European Furniture auction, lot 484.
 
Condition: Two glaze frits on the reverse of the rim; otherwise in excellent condition consistent with age and usage.