TWO CHINESE EXPORT ARMORIAL CHARGERS CIRCA 1746

one painted with the arms of Spearing with Denskine in pretence, the other with the arms of Bookey impaling Peake, each within a border of lotus sprays, the first also with a bamboo and vine band around the cavetto

Sotheby's, London, May 16, 2007, lots 438 and 439.

Spearing charger- yellow ground armorial - has several polished and partly oversprayed small areas of kiln grit on the front, mostly in the area above and to the right of the arms. Bookey charger - red and blue arms) - 1 1/2 inch area of chipping to the foot rim and a shallow 1/4 inch chip under the rim. Minor wear to the blue enamel on the arms.
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.

For the arms see David S. Howard, Chinese Armorial Porcelain, London, 1974, Vol. I, p. 277, F9 and p. 396, O3, where the author notes the similarity in the subject matter on the borders of the present two services, and notes that the second charger is from one of two services bearing Bookey arms, likely ordered by Captains Matthew and William Bookey, who were in Canton in 1746.