A CHINESE EXPORT ARMORIAL PLATE circa 1743

painted in the center with the arms of Okeover quartering Byrmingham (probably) and Leake and impaling Nichol within an elaborate baroque cartouche and mantling above two hippocampi and pennants, and the rim with four rococo cartouches either monogrammed LMO in blue or containing the ducal coronet and demi dragon crest and alternating with floral bouquets between gilt bead-and-reel borders on the cavetto and the rim edge. Tiny chip under the rim.

The collection of Colonel Sir Ian Walker-Okeover, Bt., D.S.O., sold, Christie's, London, March 3, 1975 (among the 42 plates in lots 177-183)
Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge, London
Sold, Christie's, London, November 16, 1981, lot 195

San Francisco, Fall Antiques Show, 1995

Very shallow 1/4-inch chip under the rim, some wear to black enamel in arms, few patches of stacking wear.
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, the most elaborate ever commissioned by an English family, and made for Leake Okeover (1702-65) and his wife Mary Nichol, is illustrated by Howard 1974, p. 398, no. O4, who comments on the rare survival of both "the colored drawing of the original pattern" (by the artist Arthur Devis [1708-87], who was paid ₤1 1s 0d for his work), and the bills, one dated "Janry ye 16 1739-40," and the other dated 1743 "from ye Jerusalem Coffee House, Change Alley, a consignment of fifty plates and four large dishes with your arms"...addressed to "Leake Okeover Esqre. from Joseph Congreve, commander of the ship Prislowe."  Howard and Ayers, Vol. II, p. 415 no. 413, who illustrate the plate in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, sold in these rooms on October 19, 2000, lot 288, also illustrate the 1739 invoice p. 413, no. 413b and the original design, p. 414, no. 413a.  Another plate and the original design are illustrated by Howard 1997, p. 57, no. 53.

Further plates are illustrated by Clunas, p. 62, no. 43; Fuchs, p. 64, no. 26; Godden, p. 197, pl. 114; Howard 1994, p. 80, no. 63; Krahl and Harrison-Hall, p. 227, no. 99; and Tudor-Craig, p. 119 (bottom).