A CHINESE EXPORT ARMORIAL BEAKER AND SAUCER circa 1740

painted on the front or in the center in iron-red, gold and oxidized silver with the crowned arms of Torriano accollée with Proli of Brabant and Milan beneath a grisaille-delineated gold fruiting grapevine border around the rim.  Tiny chips, and the beaker rim also with a hair crack.

Ralph M. Chait Galleries, New York, March 26, 1987

Cup with 1 1/8-inch haircrack and minute chips on edge, saucer with 3mm chip at 4:30 an minute chips/frits nearby. Chait sticker
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 differently bordered plate with these arms is illustrated by de Noordhout, p. 65; and Howard, Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, p. 41 (center, right), who, on p. 40, comments that members of the Torriano family settled in London; and Nathaniel Torriano, who visited Canton on a number of occasions, was senior supercargo and Chief of Council there in 1721 and again in 1727/28, [but] died at sea on his next outward voyage in 1731 between Batavia and Canton."  It seems unlikely that he was involved in the order of either this service or the service illustrated by Howard, ibid., which so closely resembles that of the preceding dish.