Lot Essay
This service was ordered for José Raón y Gutiérrez (1703-1773). He was appointed Captain General and Governor of the Philippines in 1765 and was the first Governor to use the Cape of Good Hope route to reach the Philippines. Whilst there, he had a reputation of greed and corruption, which perhaps explains the order of such an impressive service. Although not actually a marquis, he held the highest rank in the Spanish Army and was therefore able to use the coronet of a marquis above his arms. The quartered arms show the families of Raón (1st and 3rd), Gutiérrez (2nd) and Cejudo (4th).
See Howard and Ayers, China for the West, London and New York, 1978, vol.II, no. 385, p. 389 for a plate from this service; M. Beurdeley, Porcelain of the East India Companies, London, 1962, cat. 168, p. 188 for a serving dish in the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon; and J. A. Lloyd Hyde, Oriental Lowestoft, Chinese Export Porcelain, Newport, 1964, colour plate C (bottom left).
See Howard and Ayers, China for the West, London and New York, 1978, vol.II, no. 385, p. 389 for a plate from this service; M. Beurdeley, Porcelain of the East India Companies, London, 1962, cat. 168, p. 188 for a serving dish in the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon; and J. A. Lloyd Hyde, Oriental Lowestoft, Chinese Export Porcelain, Newport, 1964, colour plate C (bottom left).