Auction catalog image. Not for publication.

Plate

Date1818-1823

MediumHard-paste porcelain

DimensionsOther: 7in. (17.8cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund

Object number2009-70

DescriptionSmall plate decorated in overglaze enamels with the Fitzhugh pattern in brown. This plate is from one of three Chinese export porcelain services produced for the Manigault family of Charleston, South Carolina. This service bears the family's arms (azure, three heron-hawks capped, belled, and jessed proper), crest, and motto in the center. The arms used here have been altered slightly to incorporate a crescent indicating that Charles Izard Manigault, who ordered this service, was a second son.
Label TextThis plate is decorated with the Fitzhugh pattern. Pieces with this pattern were typically made between 1780 and 1840. The most common version of this design incorporates a central medallion surrounded by four quadrants of flowers and emblems. The central medallion has four mythological dragon-like beasts in it; however this design is often replaced with coats of arms, crests, or monograms. The emblems in the floral designs are associated with the four accomplishments of Chinese scholars, namely music, painting, chess, and calligraphy. The typical Fitzhugh border includes butterflies, diamond diapers, Grecian keys, and floral motifs. The pattern is named after Thomas Fitzhugh of the English East India Company. It is not thought that he was the creator of the design; however he was probably one of the first to commission it for a service. The Fitzhugh pattern was made in several colors including blue, green, yellow, black, and gilt as well as brown. Very few services in brown exist and those that do were all produced for the American market.

This plate is from a service ordered by Charles Izard Manigault (1785-1874) of Charleston, South Carolina who had been in China for almost six years, 1817-1823 when he had it made. The arms of the service were copied by Canton enamellers from the bookplate engraved for Manigault by Samuel Clayton in Australia. That bookplate was adapted from one done for his father, Peter Manigault, while he was studying in London in 1754. Three gold-hooded, belled, red falcons on a blue field placed two and one with a half-moon above the falcons to signify that Charles was a second son, the crest of an American Indian with eagle-feather headdress and the motto “it is better to anticipate than to avenge.”

ProvenancePurchased from Northeast Auctions in Portsmouth, New Hampshire at their Marine, China Trade and Sporting Art Auction, August 15, 2009. It was previously owned by the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

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