A Chinese armorial tea canister c.1758

A Chinese armorial tea canister c.1758, decorated with the arms of Ligonier, Viscount Ligonier, raised on a reticulated scrolling base, 10cm. Provenance: the Frederick Arthur Crisp collection, Puttick and Simpson, 8th March 1923, lot 210. The Clifford Henderson collection. Illustrated: the Tudor-Craig Catalogue, Heirloom and Howard, 1993. This service was made for the colourful figure of Sir John Louis, Earl Ligonier, who came to England as a refugee in 1698 and had an extensive career with the English Army, culminating with his appointment as Commander-in-Chief throughout the Seven Years War. He was furious when relieved of this post at the age of 86. He had a reputation, at this ripe old age, of maintaining four mistresses at his Surrey home, with a reputed combined age of 47.