Pair 18th C. Armorial Chinese Export Plates - Penyston or Wright.
Pair of Chinese export porcelain plates with Fitzhugh decoration and molded edges in a “royal pattern” shape, circa 1785.
Dimensions: Approximately 9½” in diameter.
Decoration:
The rim is edged in gold.
The border has an outer border of blue balls edged and a thin blue band.
Within this, the border is decorated in Chinese butterfly and hexagonal diaper pattern with flowers.
The cavetto is decorated with a similar diaper design.
The center is bordered in a narrow band of gilt husks, and contains a crest surrounded by floral swags.
According to Howard, in “Chinese Armorial Porcelain”, Vol. 2 at p. 528, where this service is illustrated and discussed, the crest is borne by both the Penyston and Wright families.
The reverse is unmarked.
For a discussion of the Fitzhugh pattern border, see Howard, “Chinese Armorial Porcelain”, Vol. 1 at pp. 51-54, and Madsen & White, “Chinese Export Porcelains”, at pp. 96-100.
Condition: Loss of gilding and roughness to the edges, evidence of repair on the reverse of one plate; otherwise in excellent condition consistent with age and usage.