A LARGE CHINESE CANTON FAMILLE ROSE ARMORIAL BOWL

C.1813

Brightly decorated to the interior with a panel containing figures in the sea with large fish and sea creatures, with further figures on the shoreline engaged in various pursuits, all encircling a central roundel of figures, the exterior with similarly decorated panels, reserved on dense gilt grounds of flowers, birds, butterflies and fruit, the Arms of Clerke (or Claerk), and with the motto 'MUNUS ET MONUMENTUM VICTORIA HENRY VIII SPURS 1513', 53.5cm.

Cf. D S Howard, Chinese Armorial Porcelain, p.785, where an oval dish from this service is illustrated.

This service was almost certainly made to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Battle of Spurs in which King Henry VIII was the victor, and was most likely made for Sir John Clerke of Weston.