QIANLONG PERIOD, CIRCA 1783

José de Gálvez y Gallardo, 1st Marquis of Sonora, was a key figure in the Viceroyalty of New Spain. He began his political career with the purchase of a governorship in the Philippines, later becoming private secretary to Secretary of State Grimaldi and a tribunal judge. In 1765 he was appointed Inspector General of New Spain, a very powerful post, and honorary member of the Council of Indies. During his tenure in New Spain he improved its administration and finances as well as strengthening its colonization of California. His career continued successfully after his 1772 return to Spain and he was granted the Marquis of Sonora title in 1785.
Gálvez ordered two large Chinese export services, the first in 1775, both with large and extravagant serving pieces. See Rocío Díaz, Chinese Armorial Porcelain for Spain, pp. 244-49 and 288-91, where the author illustrates the cargo register from the Spanish frigate Asunción that lists the initialed crates that held this porcelain ordered by "the Most Honourable José de Golbez" [sic]