A Pair of Chinese Export 'Arms of New York' Reticulated Platters Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period, circa 1795

Ader Picard Tajan, Paris
Wolf Family Collection No. 0201 (acquired from the above on June 9, 1976)

Depicted on the left with Liberty holding a pole with a cap at the tip, and Justice on the right wearing a blindfold and holding a scale, the iconic coat of arms of the state of New York appeared on Chinese Export porcelains made between the 1790s to the early1800s. Many variations of the coat of arms are seen on surviving examples, and some developed into pseudo-arms with the central shield painted with either gilt flowers or the original owners' monograms. For further discussion, see David Howard and John Ayers, China for the West, London, 1978, vol. II, cat. nos. 523 and 524, where the authors state that the inspiration for the present design originates from the true arms of New York, a commission from Governor Clinton to Theobald Baker in 1778.