Description:
Chinese export porcelain dish or stand with an irregular upturned rim, decorated in the Famille rose palette in pink, iron red, purple, blue, yellow, brown, black, grey, and gilding. The dish has the arms of Latham, 'Or on a chief indented azure in three plates' impalling Kelsell, 'Ermine a band engrailed sable', over the motto "Pursue" on the lower rim, and the crest, 'An eagle preying on an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and in a cradle proper' on the upper rim. Richard Latham (died before 1770) was a senior merchant at Fort St. George in 1758 and on the Council of Madras in 1774, while Thomas Kelsall was a member of the Coucil of Bengal in 1755. This service was one of two made for Capt. Latham RN who married Jane, only daughter of John Kelsall of Greenwich, probably c.1755. The well has a band of large and small floral sprays around the rim and elements of the 'Valentine' pattern - the 'Altar of Love' (two flaming hearts on an altar, two doves billing on Cupid's quiver, wreath and side curtain) and 'Absent Master' (tree, wreath, dogs, sheep, shepherd's crook, pipes and hat). The 'Valentine' pattern, a combination of pastoral, erotic, and exotic South Seas elements such as a breadfruit tree and coconut palm, was originally found on a 1743 dinner service made in Canton for Commodore George Anson (1697-1762). It was probably designed by then First Lieutenant Piercy Brett (1709-1781), Anson's official artist during his 1740-1744 circumnavigation; many of Brett's drawings were used as the basis for the engravings in "Anson's Voyages", published in 1748. The large center tree on this dish is close to Brett's original breadfruit tree, with its simple branches and large purple fruits. 'Altar of Love' and 'Absent Master' were independent motifs, remembrances of home, first combined on the 1743 service. Two other scenes are known to have been used: 2 wolves (or dogs) approaching a cottage; and a cottage, woman spining, man, oxen, and bridge (see HD 60.168).
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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+58.094 |
