Set of three graduated tankards, Qianlong c.1740, with the arms of Benson
Set of three tankards, c.1740, of graduated size : 6¼”, 5⅞” and 5¼”.
Decorated on the front with the arms of Benson and on each side with large and finely painted flowering peonies on rockwork in rich famille rose enamels. Gilt vine leaf decoration around the rim and also down the handles.
This set of tankards is from a previously unrecorded service but there is no doubt that they were made at the same time, and for the same commissioner, as a service in Chinese Armorial Porcelain vol II, p.268, with the arms of Benson impaling (indicating a marriage) Pott. Both services have the same rich display of famille rose peonies tumbling out of rockwork, and both have a vine and grape gilt border.
Also related is a Yongzheng service of c.1730 with the arms of Knightley with Benson ’in pretence’ (indicating marriage with an heiress). This was made for Lucy Knightley and his wife Jane Grey Benson, only daughter and heir of Henry Benson of Northamptonshire who bore the same arms. (See Chinese Armorial Porcelain vol I, p. 256.)
Reference : To be illustrated in a Supplement III to Chinese Armorial Porcelain by David S. Howard
Condition : Each with at least one crack consolidated, mainly visible on the inside. The armorial, enamels, gilding and flowers at the side all in exceptional and original condition. The set presents extremely well despite the repair.
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