A CHINESE EXPORT SMALL PLATE FROM SAMUEL SHAW'S 'ORDER OF THE CINCINNATI' SERVICE CIRCA 1790

painted in the center with the order of the Society above the iron-red and gilt initials SS, within four grisaille and gilt flower sprigs and a wave pattern border.

There is some very, very minor speckling to the glaze, and one small glaze flake with adjacent discolored area to the surface of the plate, otherwise in very good condition.
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.
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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.

According to Feller, 1983, p. 6, Samuel Shaw owned both a dinner and tea service decorated with the order of the Cincinnati. He was the Supercargo responsible for ordering all the services decorated with the badge of the Society and travelled between America and China for nine years, dying at sea on a return trip in 1794.

An identical plate was in the Collection of Lois F. and Henry S. McNeil, sold at Christie's, New York, October 14, 1999, lot 102; and a sugar bowl and cover from the service was sold at Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, August 15, 2008, lot 314.