QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Cayetano Pignatelli (1730-1795), Marquis of Rubí, spent years abroad as the Inspector General of New Spain. This service was delivered to Cadiz on 13 August 1770 on the Buen Consejo. See R. Diaz, Chinese Armorial Porcelain for Spain, London, 2010, pp. 168-171 for a discussion of Pignatelli and his military career. An unusual tray from this service is illustrated by C.J.A. Jörg and J. van Campen, Chinese Ceramics in the Collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, 1997, p. 318, no. 380. An identical tureen-stand to the present lot was sold at Christie's New York, 23 January 2012, lot 384.