Pair Chinese Export Armorial Plates, 18th Century

China Ca. 1750

A fine pair of Chinese mid 18th century porcelain plates made for the Western market with a royal armorial crest featuring two banners containing the mottoes “Regarde A La Mort” Regard the Dead which was a battle cry and “Dum Spero Spero” As long as I hope or have hope. Various on line sites have the entire motto meaning “While I Breathe I have Hope”. A version of this armorial is identified with the Minch family with various spellings of the name including Minchin, Mincin, Mincing, Minchen, Minchan, Minken, Minkin. All these various family names’ armorials have three fleur des lis ( from their Norman origins ) and the single motto “Regarde A La Mort”. The family is known to have migrated to Dutch New York and Ireland.

The rim of the plates are in black and gold with doves, a wreath and asymmetrical design.

Price

SOLD

Condition

Very good + Antique condition. There are small areas of stacking wear, slight edge fritting and one plate has enamel wear on the motto banners. Only the slightest rubbing to the gold.

Measurements

9" Diameter