circa 1765, iron red arms with central white band, six marlets, surmounted by two interlaced swan necks, each holding a red ring in its beak, the whole amongst three floral sprays, the rim with gilt chain and foliate border, 9 in.

Provenance: Christopher M. Weld, Essex, Massachusetts

Note: "These arms are of Croke of Chilton and Chequers in Buckinghamshire, and Studley and Waterstock in Oxfordshire, descended from Nicholas le Blount in the 14th Century who changed his name to Croke and was the ancestor of Sir John Croke of Chilton, Speaker of the House of Commons in Queen Elizabeth's reign, and Sir George Croke, and eminent judge in the reign of Charles I.

From Sir George's brother, William Croke, descended the Crokes of Studley Priory in Oxfordshire, of whom Alexander Croke, born in 1704, acquired also the estates of Marsh Gibbon and had an heir, Alexander, born in 1728, who inherited Studley Priory, and for whom this service was probably made. He married firstly Anne, daughter of the Reverend Robert Armistead and secondly in 1772 Sarah Evans, leaving at his death in 1777 the Studley Priory estates to his son (later) Sir Alexander Croke. The only other service recorded of this design is from the same part of the country and may well have been ordered at the same time by the same source."

Illustrated in Chinese Armorial Porcelain Volume II, David S. Howard, Heirloom & Howard, Ltd., Wiltshire, UK, 2003, p. 393.

spotting overall, scratching, anomalies (as made), minor chipping to foot ring, hairline crack to reverse approx. 1-1/4 in., repaired rim chip to reverse, blacklight reveals minor accretion, label to reverse