Part tea service, Qianlong c.1740-50, with the arms of Calverley
A tea service (not all pieces illustrated), early Qianlong c.1740-50, with the arms of Calverley of The Broad in Hellingly on the Sussex Weald, and of Ewell in Surrey.
The Broad estate on the East Sussex Weald was purchased in 1630 by Edmund Calverley, descendant of a Yorkshire family, to which were later added a number of manors in Sussex and Surrey. This tea service was almost certainly commissioned by Edmund’s grandson, Thomas Calverley, who was born about 1698. He married first Mary Bird and had a daughter Elizabeth, and secondly Hannah, daughter of Peter Gegondee of London, and was succeeded by his only son, also Thomas. The arms, crest and Latin motto (meaning ’Truth out of Obscurity’) are exactly as recorded for this family.
Comprising: Teapot, cover & 6½ inch underdish (all perfect) Slop bowl and 6½ inch dish Sugar bowl, cover and 5¾ inch dish 2 cake dishes, 8 inches 4 further 5¾ inch saucers 18 sets teabowls and 4¼ inch saucers
Some pieces available as a set, some teabowls & saucers individually.
Reference : Howard, David S.; Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Volume I, p.795 where a 50 piece tea service is recorded as selling at Sotheby’s in 1963
Condition : Most pieces in perfect and extremely bright condition; one or two with very minor repairs (precise details and further photos on request)
Click image to enlarge