18th Century Chinese Export Blue & White Armorial Plate – Bruce

Chinese export plate bearing arms of Bruce of Kennet and  of Bruce of Stenhouse, circa 1790.
 
Dimensions: Approximately 9¾” diameter.
 
The border has a narrow rubbed gilt edge and is decorated with a blue shaded diaper pattern with blue spearheads.
 
The cavetto is decorated with a blue diaper/trellis pattern with blue spearheads.
 
The center contains the Bruce armorial.
 
The reverse has the remnants of an old label and a label with the name “Bruce”. There are glaze hairlines and a glaze firing flaw which do not appear on the front.
 
In his book “Chinese Armorial Porcelain” V.2, at page 569, David Howard notes that this armorial is borne by two branches of the Bruce family, each branch having notable members.

Condition: Rubbed gilding and minor glaze imperfections, otherwise in excellent condition consistent with age and usage.