Yongzheng Era, 1732-33 Chinese export for the Dutch market, arms of VAN ENS BOCHOUT. The saucer is painted in bright famille rose enamels with gilding. The decoration consists of a Y-diaper band in rouge de fer and gold at the rim and a band with floral scrollwork at the cavetto, enclosing four cartouches with a Dutch bridal pair twice and European marriage and Chinese symbols twice. The design of the European couple has been copied from other export porcelain. Most of these designs show a lady in a decollete dress, but others show the lady more decently dressed, as on this dish. A similar European couple was painted on a very rare tea bowl with the Dutch inscription ‘GESONTHEIJD JUFFROUWE AO 1733’ (To you good health, Madam, Annon 1733). The center of the saucer is almost completely filled with an armorial comprising two oval blue shields with a gilded cipher ‘JVE’ left (heraldic right) and a gilded cipher ‘J B’ right (heraldic left). These shields are surmounted by a helmet and a duck crest, enclosed by elaborate scrolling and hatched mantling and below a catouche in Louis XIV style. It is inscribed in gold with the names of the married couple who ordered the service: ‘JAN: VAN: ENS’ and underneath ‘JOANNA BOUCHOUTE.’ 4 1/2 IN. Diam. For further reading see, Dr. J. Kroes, “Chinese Armorial Porcelain for the Dutch Market,” p.157, fig. 67.

Additional comments added on 9/19/23: Two tiny rim chips, not visible from the front. Very few pieces of this service exist Please note: All lots show signs of wear consistent with age and use, and the absence of a statement regarding condition issues does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from imperfections or the effects of aging