Images(2)

Covered vegetable dish

Dateca. 1820

OriginAsia, China, Jingdezhen

MediumPorcelain, hard-paste

DimensionsOH: 6 1/2" (2 1/2" w/o lid) OL: 9 13/16" OW: 11"

Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. Jack Boys

Object number2010-133,1A&B

DescriptionThis Chinese export porcelain covered vegetable dish is from a service made for Philadelphian Benjamin Chew Wilcocks. The border on the lid of the dish is approximately one inch wide and contains a stylized leaf and scroll decoration on a peach band. The armorial crest of a demi-lion rampant emerging from a mural coronet is contained within an additional peach band ornamented with sepia and dark brown stylized leaves and scrolls. Each side of the dish is further decorated with a sepia toned floral spray.
Label TextChinese export porcelain covered vegetable dish from the service made for Benjamin Chew Wilcocks, part of a service which was made for him while he served as American Consul in Canton from 1814 until 1821. Wilcocks was a prominent Philadelphia merchant.

Benjamin Chew Wilcocks (1776-1845) was for a time in the early 19th century the American Consul at Canton and had a home in Macao between 1800 and 1829. He started as a supercargo with George Howell on the "Delaware" which arrived in Philadelphia on April 10, 1799. In 1803 he again was a supercargo on the "Pennsylvania." In late 1811, he returned to Canton as a resident commission agent. On January 19, 1813 he was commissioned United States Consul at Canton. Wilcocks continued to carry on his mercantile business, including the sale of opium to the Chinese. Although his services as consul ended in 1822, he remained in Canton as a merchant until 1827.
ProvenanceMade for Benjamin Chew Wilcocks while he was serving as American Consul in Canton from 1814 until 1821. Wilcocks was a prominent Philadelphia merchant.

Previously owned by Jack and Laura Boys of Newburyport, MA