Chinese Export Porcelain Pseudo-Armorial Crested Soup Plate

The Chinese Export porcelain armorial plate has a flower festoon border at the rim and a spearhead inner border at the top of the bowl. The center has an unusual large armorial device centered by a shield-shaped with gilt letters possibly RB.

The plate is pseudo-armorial and was most likely made for a ship captain.

The surround is complex. The top is surmounted by a pair of love birds. To the right there appears to be a church tower, a harp and a painter’s palette and a music sheet with a small painted panel with “en grisaille” figures disembarking from a ship.

To the other side are Masonic symbols, a flag, anchor and cannon with small figures and deer visible in the background.

Dimensions: 9-inch diameter x 1 1/2 inches high.