A PAIR OF CHINESE EXPORT ARMORIAL PLATES circa 1740

each painted in the center with the arms of Clifford of Chudleigh and on the rim with the wyvern crest and three iron-red- and grisaille-delineated flowering branches between gold-ground blue enamel foliate-scroll borders around the cavetto and rim.

Philip Suval, Inc., New York

San Francisco, Fall Antiques Show, 1995

One excellent; one with original shallow 1/4-inch chip under the rim at 7 o'clock and some wear to the motto scroll.
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.

A plate from this service, "one of three services made within a decade for Hugh, 4^th Baron Clifford," is illustrated by Howard 1974, p. 306, no. H1, and was in the Cecil H. Bullivant Collection, sold at Phillips in London on March 22, 1988, lot 204.  A soup plate from the service is illustrated by Kroes, p. 214, cat. no. 126, who, on pp. 119-122 discusses at length the services with these arms, made for the Dutch and English branches of the Clifford family.  The present service was made for an English  Clifford, as verified by David Howard, but Kroes, p. 120, cat. no. 22a, and p. 214, cat nos. 125a and b, illustrates three plates from services made for Dutch Cliffords along with a Loosdrecht  porcelain bowl with these arms, p. 121, cat no. 22b.