Coffee can, with the crest of Catesby Jones, English, 19th century
Coffee can of 19th century European manufacture with the crest of Jones above a heart-shaped shield with initials ’C. M.’ above the letter ’J’ for Catesby and Mary Jones. A number of pieces, possibly an entire coffee and tea service, were made as replacement or additional pieces to the Chinese export dinner service. The decoration copies faithfully the Chinese porcelain.
The original dinner service was made in China as a wedding gift for Thomas ap Catesby Jones (1790-1858) and Mary Walker Carter who married in 1823.
Jones was born in Virginia to a family of Welsh origin (‘ap’ Catesby meaning ‘son of Catesby’) and joined the United States Navy as midshipman in 1805. He saw service in the suppression of the slave trade and smuggling along the Virginia coast. In a distinguished career he rose to be commander of the Pacific Squadron of the United States Navy on two separate assignments. He is also remembered for an unfortunate incident in 1842 when he landed an assault force at Monterey, believing that the United States was a war with Mexico, which led to an apology from President Tyler.
A dinner plate and sauce boat of the Chinese export service in the US Department of State in Washington, and a plate in the Dietrich American Foundation.
Reference : Howard, David S.; Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Volume II, p. 672 for a further description of the Chinese export service.
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