Made for "GW", circa 1790 large cylindrical tankard or toast cup with double-strap handle and leafy terminals, painted with blue mantling around a shield enclosing script initials "GW" (possibly for George Washington) flanked by two small flower clusters on the sides, gilt meander border at top with small dependent flowers, gilt and blue husk border at bottom, no marks, 6 in., small interior tears in porcelain and other anomalies as made. Notes: Illustrated in Elinor Gordon's Chinese Export Porcelain, 1977, p. 137 with the description: "Mug, Ch'ien Lung, c. 1790, American market...carries the simple monogram "GW" for George Washington. ...An ermine-lined blue mantle surrounds the shield." She also refers to a punch bowl at Mount Vernon which belonged to George Washington and which has a similar monogrammed shield draped by an ermine-lined mantle. See also Susan Gray Detwiler, George Washington's Chinaware (1982), plate 130, for the punch bowl.
Brunk Auctions provides condition reports as a courtesy to our clients and assumes no liability for any error or omission. Descriptions are our opinions and should in no way be construed as a guarantee of any kind as to age, condition, materials or any other feature of items being sold. No statement written or oral made by the auctioneer shall be deemed a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions or by any seller represented by Brunk Auctions. We are happy to provide additional photographs to aid in your decision. We do not give refunds.. Provenance: Elinor Gordon, Villanova, Pennsylvania Sotheby's, New York, January 23, 2012 ; Claude Harkins Collection of Washingtoniana, Ira & Larry Goldberg Auctioneers, December 1, 2012; Tharpe Collection small interior tears in porcelain and other anomalies as made