George Washington's Chinese Export Society of the Cincinnati Soup Plate, c. 1786. 9 3/8" in diameter, purchased from China in August 1786 for George Washington by Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee. One of a set of 302 pieces of breakfast, table, and tea china painted in the center with a figure of Fame holding aloft the badge of the Society of the Cincinnati, which was founded in 1783 to recognize the honorable service of American and French officers during the American Revolution. Washington served as the first President of the Society of Cincinnati.
The china was used by Washington during his Presidency and also at Mount Vernon. It was the rarest export China in existence. Samuel Shaw (1754-94), who was Henry Knox' aide-de-camp, was the supercargo or mercantile agent on the Empress of China, the first American ship to enter the China trade, as well as a founding member of the Society of the Cincinnati. Shaw arranged to have the Society's Eagle, designed by Pierre l'Enfant, applied to the porcelain in Canton. The set arrived at Mount Vernon in September 1786.
Provenance:
Descended by Martha Washington's will to her grandson, George Washington Parke Custis at Arlington House. During the Civil War, Union troops took possession of the china set at Arlington House. After the War, the set was released by order of President William McKinley to Mary Custis Lee, the daughter of General Robert E. Lee and Mary Anna Randolph Custis. There is also evidence that some pieces were given away as gifts by descendants of Mrs. Washington. In 1928, Henry Francis du Pont acquired more than sixty pieces remaining in the possession of the descendant of Mary Custis Lee. These pieces are at Winterthur. Mount Vernon has a dozen or more pieces. This piece was acquired by Claude Harkins at Sotheby's, New York, Oct. 19, 2000, Lot 327. The label of noted China export dealer Elinor Gordon is on the back.
Estimated Value $40,000 - 60,000.
The Claude Harkins Collection of Washingtonia
