Coffee cup & saucer, Yongzheng c.1735, with the arms of Belsches of Tofts
Coffee cup and saucer, c.1735, from a tea and coffee service with the arms of Belsches of Tofts in Scotland.
Almost certainly ordered by William Belsches of Tofts (c.1708-53) on his first voyage for the East India Company as a surgeon on the Beaufort (2) in 1734/5 voyage season. Although they did not call into Canton, Belsches is known to have made private trade purchases at that time. A further service was ordered on his next voyage, where he is recorded as losing a leg in an accident in Canton. He was subsequently granted a shore post of surgeon in Madras where he continued trading as a free merchant, retiring to Scotland in 1750.
Also available: three further coffee cups & saucers, two teabowls & saucers, and a sparrow beak cream jug.
Reference : This service to be illustrated in a third volume of Chinese Armorial Porcelain by David S. Howard
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