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拍品专文
In the famed pattern purchased by Colonel 'Light-Horse Harry' Lee for George Washington in New York in 1786, 66 pieces of which are at the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum. The insignia of the Cincinnati Society (founded in 1783 at the suggestion of Major General Henry Knox, inspired by the Roman farmer turned patriot/soldier Cincinnatus) was designed by Major Pierre L'Enfant, featuring the bald eagle that had just been adopted by Congress as the new nation's seal. Orders for Chinese porcelain featuring Cincinnati decoration were organized by founding member Major Samuel Shaw, supercargo on America's first ship to Canton, the Empress of China, and former aide-de-camp to General Knox (and who later commissioned his own Cincinnati service, see lot 431).
Major Shaw seems to have adopted two elements seen on the Society's membership certificate for this porcelain pattern: the allegorical female figure shown near center, also turning her head back over her shoulder, and the putto at right with the trumpet of fame.
Plates from this iconic service have been sold from other major American decorative arts collections, notably The Dietrich American Foundation (sold Christie's New York, 28 January 2013, lot 446) and the Mrs. J. Insley Blair Collection (sold Christie's New York, 21 January 2006).
Major Shaw seems to have adopted two elements seen on the Society's membership certificate for this porcelain pattern: the allegorical female figure shown near center, also turning her head back over her shoulder, and the putto at right with the trumpet of fame.
Plates from this iconic service have been sold from other major American decorative arts collections, notably The Dietrich American Foundation (sold Christie's New York, 28 January 2013, lot 446) and the Mrs. J. Insley Blair Collection (sold Christie's New York, 21 January 2006).