1750–1775 Rare Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Teacup with American Eagle and GAF Monogram

$450.00
A particularly fine and unusual example of early Chinese export porcelain made for the American market, this teacup is decorated with a remarkably distinctive heraldic American eagle bearing the monogram “GAF.” The eagle, shield, monogram, and surrounding decoration correspond closely to a rare Chinese export helmet pitcher bearing the same unusual armorial design, suggesting that the two vessels may survive from the same commissioned American service. Found in Georgetown, Washington, DC. Dating to approximately 1750–1775, the cup reflects the highly specialized production of Chinese porcelain for the emerging American market during the colonial period. American eagle decoration on Chinese export porcelain is itself relatively uncommon, while the survival of a specific three-letter monogram makes this example particularly compelling. The original recipient represented by the initials GAF has not been identified, but the individualized decoration strongly indicates that this was a privately commissioned service rather than a generic export pattern. A matching creamer with the same monogram was sold on 1st Dibs. The combination of early date, American patriotic imagery, individualized monogram, and apparent relationship to another surviving form makes this an especially interesting piece for the collector of Chinese export porcelain, early American material culture, or armorial ceramics. Date: circa 1750–1775 Origin: China, made for the American market Material: Chinese export porcelain Decoration: American eagle with armorial shield and GAF monogram Condition: Please see photographs for condition details. Check out some of my other antiques: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=6783279 Or just browse around the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP
A particularly fine and unusual example of early Chinese export porcelain made for the American market, this teacup is decorated with a remarkably distinctive heraldic American eagle bearing the monogram “GAF.” The eagle, shield, monogram, and surrounding decoration correspond closely to a rare Chinese export helmet pitcher bearing the same unusual armorial design, suggesting that the two vessels may survive from the same commissioned American service. Found in Georgetown, Washington, DC. Dating to approximately 1750–1775, the cup reflects the highly specialized production of Chinese porcelain for the emerging American market during the colonial period. American eagle decoration on Chinese export porcelain is itself relatively uncommon, while the survival of a specific three-letter monogram makes this example particularly compelling. The original recipient represented by the initials GAF has not been identified, but the individualized decoration strongly indicates that this was a privately commissioned service rather than a generic export pattern. A matching creamer with the same monogram was sold on 1st Dibs. The combination of early date, American patriotic imagery, individualized monogram, and apparent relationship to another surviving form makes this an especially interesting piece for the collector of Chinese export porcelain, early American material culture, or armorial ceramics. Date: circa 1750–1775 Origin: China, made for the American market Material: Chinese export porcelain Decoration: American eagle with armorial shield and GAF monogram Condition: Please see photographs for condition details. Check out some of my other antiques: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=6783279 Or just browse around the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP