EARLY QIANLONG PERIOD, CIRCA 1740-1750

Christian Ludwig II (1683 - 1756), Duke of Mecklemburg-Schwerin and Duke of Mecklemburg-Güstrow from 1747 to 1756 was an avid art collector, in particular of French Old Master paintings. In 1714 he married a cousin, Caroline of Mecklemburg-Strelitz (1694 - 1748). The arms show the collar of the Order of the Elephant, and the Order of Saint Andrew, the latter having been founded by the Tsar Peter the Great in 1698.

We are very grateful to Antoine Lebel in Brussels, for his assistance in identifying these arms.