A pair of Chelsea 'Hans Sloane' plates, c.1755, finely painted with botanical specimens, one with a

A pair of Chelsea 'Hans Sloane' plates, c.1755, finely painted with botanical specimens, one with a stem of Japanese anemone and a small sprig of Scotch broom, the other with a pink flowered plant, possibly hibiscus, and a fruiting plant, with scattered insects and moths, brown line rims, red anchor marks, 20.5cm. (2)

Provenance: Martel Maides, Guernsey, 25th April 2013, lots 10 and 11. Both purchased as part of a set of Chelsea botanical porcelain at Stokes and Quirke, Dublin on 19th September 1944, believed to have been the property of Lady Headfort. The wife of Geoffrey Taylour, 4th Marquess of Headfort was born Rosie Boote and established a reputation as a singer and gaiety girl. Their marriage in 1901 caused scandal. Headfort was president of the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland between 1915 and 1945, so would presumably have had a keen interest in botanical decoration.