A composite set of twelve Delft blue and white plates from the 'Whale Hunting' Series De Porseleyn Bijl circa 1775

each painted with a maritime scene of galleons, the title of the scene in a reserve cartouche preceded by a number

No 1 De Groenl: Vloot gaet in Zee. (The big fleet goes to sea)
No 2 De Vloot Zeijlt in ijs (The fleet sails in ice)
No 3 Harpoen  in de Walvis. (The harpooning of the whales)
No 4 Loopeal van de Walvis. (The (?) of the Whales)
No 5 Harponiers gerred om te Lenssen (Harponeers ready to launch the harpoons)
No 6 De Walvis  keerd Zig om (The turning of the Whale)
No 7 De Walvis na Boord geroeyd (The Whale winched aboard)
No 8 af maken van de Vis (The killing of the fish)
No 9 Schieten En kneppelen der Walriest (shooting and clubbing of the walrus)
N 10 Den ijs Beer Gedood (The polar bear is killed)
No 11 De groen Vloot seijlt Binnen. (The fleet sails towards the harbour)
No 12 Kooen van de Fraan. (The Cooking of the liver)

Overall the condition is extremely good. No 1 - small glaze free area (manufacturing fault) below the N of No 1 also tiny rim flake to left of this, very minor flakes to rim. No 2 - very minor rim flakes, one 20mm, the rest very small. No 3 - six very minor rim flakes. No 4 - tiny rim chip just above mountain on right hand side, very minor rim flakes. No 5 - very minor rim flakes. No 6 - very minor rim flakes, small area of glaze loss to reverse 5 x 10 mm. No 7 - very minor rim flakes, area of glaze loss to reverse, 7 x 7 mm. No 8 - very minor rim flakes. No 9 - four tiny glaze flakes, minor wear to rim. No 10 - unglazed firing fault by the d in Gedood, also flat rim chip nearby. No 11 - ten tiny rim flakes. No 12 - very minor rim flakes.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."