circa 1740, arms of Clifford of Chudleigh, centered with helmet above checkered blue and gilt shield with crescent on a red band, flanked by wyvern and monkey, the whole surmounted with wyvern, Imari floral border and sprays to rim, centered with wyvern crest, butterflies to rim verso, 9 in.

Note: "The crescent was borne by this family because the great-grandfather of the first Lord Clifford had an eldest son, who was the ancestor of the Cliffords of Borscombe and Kingsteignton in Devon. This line is now extinct and the Lords Clifford of Chudleigh no longer bear the crescent for difference. This family of Clifford are descended from Sir Lewis de Clifford, KG, who was Ambassador to the Court of France in the reign of Richard II. His descendant, Sir Thomas, was created a baron in 1672.

Hugh, 3rd Baron Clifford of Chudleigh, married in 1725 Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Blount of Blagden, had at least four children, but died at the age of 32 in 1732. His eldest son, Hugh, succeeded him and it is almost certain that this service was made for him – perhaps as late as his coming of age in 1747. The helmet is that of a peer and, although no coronet is painted and the crest should be Out of a ducal coronet, the arms are undoubtedly those he would have used, together with the supporters. This is one of three services with these arms. He married in 1749 Lady Anne Lee, daughter of the Earl of Lichfield and had a number of children."

Illustrated in Chinese Armorial Porcelain Volume I, David S. Howard, Faber & Faber, 31 May 1974, p. 298.

Provenance: Sotheby's London; Heirloom & Howard, Ltd., UK, November 2000; Christopher M. Weld, Essex, Massachusetts

rim frits filled, scratching, spotting, anomalies (as made), wear to gilt and painted decoration, minor chipping to foot ring, labels to base, under blacklight fluoresces to dragons, helmet, indicating in-painting