A CHINESE EXPORT 'ORDER OF THE CINCINNATI' PLATE CIRCA 1785

painted in the center with a figure of Fame holding aloft the badge of the Society of the Cincinnati.

There is some very minor fritting/minor shallow chips to the underside edge of the rim with a couple of shallow chips to the rim edge. There is some wear to to the gilding on the rim edge and to some of the blue and green enamel on the badge. Overall the plate is in very good condition otherwise.
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.

The Society of the Cincinnati was founded in May 1783 for commissioned officers who had served in the Continental Army or Navy during the American Revolution. The founder, Major General Henry Knox (1750-1806), worked with his aide-de-camp, Major Samuel Shaw (1754-1794) to develop and promote the society, whose badge of membership was designed by Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant (1754-1825). The badge took the form of a medal, and was the obvious choice to decorate the porcelain which Samuel Shaw subsequently commissioned from China for members of the Society. Shaw was supercargo in 1784 on the 'Empress of China', the first American ship to trade directly with China. The 'Pallas', the second American ship to trade directly with China returned in 1785 with a large quantity of porcelain decorated with the badge of the Cincinnati, which was the service which eventually ended up with Henry Lee and George Washington. In addition to owning his own services and other wares, Samuel Shaw gave sets of porcelain decorated with the badge of the Society to at least six close friends, including William Eustis, David Townsend, Benjamin Lincoln, William Lithgow, Henry Knox and Constant Freeman. For a full discussion of the various Cincinnati services see John Quentin Feller, The Society of the Cincinnati 1783-1983, the catalogue of an exhibition held at the Peabody Essex Museum of Salem, May-September 1983.

This plate is from the earliest group of porcelain decorated with the order of the Society of the Cincinnati, a large service purchased by Henry Lee for George Washington, and probably also for himself, in New York in August 1786. For the fullest account of the service, and the disposition of the Washington Service after Martha Washington's death see Detweiler, 1982, pp. 81-97.