Lot 304. A rare and large 'Chinese Imari' armorial charger for the Portuguese market, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, circa 1700-1720; 47.5cm., 18 3/4 in. Estimate 30,000 - 50,000 GBP. Lot sold 33,650 GBP. Photo courtesy Sotheby's 2008

brightly enamelled to the interior with a medallion enclosing the arms of Sampaio Melo e Castro, encircled at the broad flaring rim with an underglaze-blue, iron-red and gilt floral band. 

Note: For a similar plate, see one included in the exhibition Caminhos da Porcelana, Dinastias Ming e Qing, Fundacao Oriente, Lisbon, 1998, cat. no. 49, together with a cutlery box, pl. 44, a bottle and cover, pl. 46, and two coolers, pls 47-48, bearing the same arms. See another dish from the same service included in Nuno de Castro, Chinese Porcelain and the Heraldry of the Empire, p. 65, where the author notes that this was the fourth service made for Francisco Jose de Sampaio Melo e Castro, 11th Lord of Vila Flor, Military Governor of the Alentejo, Councillor of State, 66th Governor and 40th Viceroy of India between 1720-1723. Sampaio Melo e Castro died in Goa in 1723..

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. 05 Nov 08. London