These figures have variously been described as Louis XIV and Mme. de Maintenon (or Mme. de Montespan), General Duff and his wife, and a Frisian couple. Both M. Beurdeley and D. F. Lunsingh Scheurleer are in agreement, however, that the subject is Dutch rather than French. General Duff of English legend was the Dutch Governor-General Diederik Duiven (1676-1740) who held the post from 1729-1731. For a further discussion on Duff, see G. C. Williamson, op.cit., pp.141-9. Cf. D. Howard and J. Ayers, op.cit., vol.I, pl.127, pp.145 and 146, where a larger dish is illustrated in colour; M. Beurdeley, op.cit., cat.192, p.194; W. Sargent, op.cit., fig.105a, p.218; and D. F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, op.cit., fig. 203, for the example in the Rijksmuseum.
A similar single plate was sold in these Rooms, 30 October 1989, lot 206