A CHINESE EXPORT ARMORIAL OCTAGONAL CHARGER circa 1723

painted in the center with the arms of Lambert in a roundel above a rose banderole inscribed with the motto SEGUITANDO SI GIUNGE within a dart band around the well beneath a floral diaper border around the cavetto, the rim with the three-plume crest and three clusters of famille-verte flowering branches and precious objects alternating with sprigs of fruit within a gilt molded ridge at the floral-scroll-bordered edge, the underside with four iron-red peony sprigs. 

The collection of Lucile and Robert H. Gries, sold, Sotheby Parke Bernet Galleries, Inc., New York, October 6, 1970, lot 354
Ralph M. Chait Galleries, New York, March 20, 1987

Minor fritting to under side of rim at 1 o'clock and 5:30 o'clock, slight fritting on gilt ridge of rim at 3:30, 5 and 8 o'clock.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In terms of dating the emergence of famille-rose enamels, this service would appear to serve as the determinant. A footed stand or waiter from this service is illustrated by Howard 1974, p. 206, no. D2, who comments that "it has been the unvaried tradition that this service was made for the 1^st Baronet,...Sir John Lambert, a wealthy London merchant [and] a director of the South Sea Company [who died in 1723], in which case this must date rose enamel to 1723 or before.  Armorially, [however,] there is no reason why the service could not have been made for Sir John's son," who succeeded him as the 2^nd Baronet.

A larger octagonal charger from this service is illustrated by Forbes, p. 11, and by Le Corbeiller 1974, p. 47, no. 20, who on p. 46 provides an interesting account of Sir John Lambert's nefarious business affairs.  Another octagonal charger is illustrated by Tudor-Craig, p. 70; an octagonal plate is illustrated by Howard 1994, p. 57, no. 30; and a round plate illustrated by Howard and Ayers, Vol. II, p. 407, no. 406, was in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, sold in these rooms on October 19, 2000, lot 279.  A large basin from this service was in the collection of Benjamin F. Edwards III, sold at Christie's in New York on January 20, 2004, lot 240.