An extensive Chinese famille-rose armorial dinner service Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period

each painted with the Belsches of Tofts family coat-of-arms and motto Revirescit within a rouge-de-fer and gilt spearhead border, the rim with a band of loose flowers, comprising: six punch bowls of graduated sizes, the largest 40cm; a pair of large octagonal chargers, 48.8cm; four smaller octagonal dishes, 36cm; a pair of round dishes, 27.5cm; ten dinner plates of various sizes, the largest 33.5cm; sixty-seven smaller dinner plates, 22.7cm; eighteen round soup plates, 23cm; a pair of tureens and covers, 28.5cm; one large and three smaller teapots and covers, the larger damaged; a pair of milk jugs and covers; eight tea bowls, 7cm; twelve saucers, 11.3cm; nine coffee cups, 8cm; four mugs, 12.5cm; two small baluster vases and covers, approx. 13.8cm; a pair of lobed teapot trays, 13cm; another lobed tray, 12.5cm; a small round saucer, 15cm; and three bowls, the largest 14cm,

Possibly acquired by John Wishart Belsches, later Sir John Stuart (1752-1821) or one of his parents either William Belsches of Tofts, Berwick and Fort St. David’s, Madras (1717-1753) or Emilia Stuart Belsches of Fettercairn (1730-1807).

There is a fascinating inventory of this service from August 1820, apparently taken by Sir Willam Forbes, 7th Bt. (1773-1828), on the year of his father-in-laws death, at the family mansion of Greenhill in Edinburgh. He records that the service was unpacked at Fettercairn House on the 19 July 1821 'in the closet of my bedroom amongst other old china'. This list and where the service was kept seem to indicate that he regarded this service as an important and valuable family heirloom.

'List of Coats of Arms China of Belsches of Tofts - sent to Fettercairn
1st of August, 1820;
Two round Tureens
six Long Octagon dishes
fourteen round ditto different sizes
one very large ditto, a piece out of the edge
seventeen soup plates
four Dozen flat ditto éntree
eight flat plates
eight drinking mugs different sizes
four sauce boats in a separate box
one very large punch bowl and four smaller
various teapots, coffee & tea cups'

The service is in overall good condition with the exception of twenty-five of the 9in., dinner and eight of the soup plates being of later date, probably European replacements; in addition the following items have areas of damage: the large rectangular dish has two rim chips and an associated 3cm., hairline rim crack; two of the cups are broken and one is missing a handle; one cup has a small rim chip; a large circular charger has two hairline rim cracks 7 and 8cm., long, one with an associated small rim chip; one of the small ovoid jars has been broken into several pieces and is missing a cover; the other jar has a small rim chip and several hairline cracks and frits to the edge of the cover; one teapot has two long hairline cracks and the tip of the spout has been mounted in white metal; one teapot has a replaced knop to the cover; one soup plate has small rim chips and a 56cm., hairline rim crack; one milk jug has a handle and cover missing, the other jug has chips to the cover; one 5 1/2 in., bowl has a 5cm., hairline rim crack, another has two 10cm., hairline rim cracks; a 5in., bowl is broken in half and with part missing; a small lobed tray has a break across one lobe; one of the mugs is broken in half and riveted; one 9in., dinner plate has a 5mm., rim chip, another has three 5mm., rim chips, another has a 1cm., rim chip, another has a 4mm., rim chip, two have 10cm., hairline body cracks, another has 4cm., hairline rim crack, and others have minor rim frits and small shallow chips; the large rectangular dish has two shallow rim flakes 1.5 and 1cm., one soup plate has two small rim chips, another has a 7cm., hairline rim crack; another has a 9cm., hairline rim crack and another has a 3cm., hairline rim crack; the circular tureen has a 8 and 4cm., hairline rim cracks; the punch bowl has a 30cm., crescent-shaped repaired break to the rim; an 8in., bowl has two 6cm., hairline rim cracks; a 10in bowl has a 1cm., rim chip, another has a 28cm., crescent-shaped break at the rim and another is broken into five pieces; two of the 11in., chargers have 8cm., wide crescent-shaped loss; one of the tea cups has a 5mm., rim chip and two associated hairline cracks; two of the cups are broken in half.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."