Description
A rare Chinese export porcelain soup bowl commissioned for the American market for the Order of the Cincinnati, ca. 1784-85. Decorated along the center with the bade of the order suspended on a blue ribbon from a bow held by a hovering angel, an allegory of Fame, blowing a trumpet. Surrounded by a meticulous cell-patterned band of underglaze blue along the well and a blue "Fitzhugh" border along the molded, scalloped rim.
Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, "Important Chinese Export Porcelain and Chinese Works of Art from the Collection of The Late Mildred R. and Rafi Y. Mottahedeh," 19 October 2000, Lot 327; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff.
Lot Essay:
Founded in 1783 at the suggestion of Major General Henry Knox, the Society of the Cincinnati honored the leaders of the Revolutionary War, taking its name from the Roman patriot-soldier Cincinnatus. To commemorate this elite brotherhood, founding member Major Samuel Shaw - who sailed as supercargo on the Empress of China, the first American trading vessel to Canton - commissioned custom Chinese export porcelain bearing the Society’s insignia. The most celebrated resulting order was a monumental 302-piece service that arrived in Baltimore in 1785 aboard the ship Pallas. Recognizing its immense historic and symbolic value, George Washington had Colonel "Light-Horse Harry" Lee purchase the set for him in New York in 1786. Today, it is widely considered the most significant and sought-after porcelain made for the American market, with sixty-six original pieces now preserved in the collection of the Henry Francis duPont Winterthur Museum.
The Washington service is renowned for masterfully blending traditional Chinese export design with early American patriotic iconography. Its distinctive rim features a rich, underglaze cobalt blue "Fitzhugh" border decorated with elaborate cell patterns, whimsical flowers, and butterflies. The brilliant overglaze enamel centerpiece depicts the winged allegorical figure of Fame blowing a trumpet while suspending the Society's eagle badge from a blue ribbon - a design meticulously copied by Canton artisans from a Pierre L'Enfant watercolor sketch that Shaw had carried to China. Commissioned during the absolute infancy of American overseas trade, this pattern stood as a profound status symbol for the nation's founding fathers.
Diameter: 9 3/4 in.
Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, "Important Chinese Export Porcelain and Chinese Works of Art from the Collection of The Late Mildred R. and Rafi Y. Mottahedeh," 19 October 2000, Lot 327; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff.
Lot Essay:
Founded in 1783 at the suggestion of Major General Henry Knox, the Society of the Cincinnati honored the leaders of the Revolutionary War, taking its name from the Roman patriot-soldier Cincinnatus. To commemorate this elite brotherhood, founding member Major Samuel Shaw - who sailed as supercargo on the Empress of China, the first American trading vessel to Canton - commissioned custom Chinese export porcelain bearing the Society’s insignia. The most celebrated resulting order was a monumental 302-piece service that arrived in Baltimore in 1785 aboard the ship Pallas. Recognizing its immense historic and symbolic value, George Washington had Colonel "Light-Horse Harry" Lee purchase the set for him in New York in 1786. Today, it is widely considered the most significant and sought-after porcelain made for the American market, with sixty-six original pieces now preserved in the collection of the Henry Francis duPont Winterthur Museum.
The Washington service is renowned for masterfully blending traditional Chinese export design with early American patriotic iconography. Its distinctive rim features a rich, underglaze cobalt blue "Fitzhugh" border decorated with elaborate cell patterns, whimsical flowers, and butterflies. The brilliant overglaze enamel centerpiece depicts the winged allegorical figure of Fame blowing a trumpet while suspending the Society's eagle badge from a blue ribbon - a design meticulously copied by Canton artisans from a Pierre L'Enfant watercolor sketch that Shaw had carried to China. Commissioned during the absolute infancy of American overseas trade, this pattern stood as a profound status symbol for the nation's founding fathers.
Diameter: 9 3/4 in.
Condition
The bowl has been broken in half and restored. There are four areas of circular fill along the back of the bowl consistent with a prior repair using staples. Filled chip along the rim where one side of the crack terminates. Minute filled chip to the rim in a different spot. Light surface wear including very light scuffs and losses to the gilt.
Buyer's Premium
30%
Rare Order of the Cincinnati Soup Bowl
Estimate $40,000-$50,000
Starting Bid
$30,000
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This auction is curated by:
Sean BlanchetAsian Art Specialist
Robert SnellPaintings and Sculpture Specialist
Leo & Doris Hodroff Chinese Export Collection
Nov 12, 2026, 11:00 AM ESTSt. Paul, MN, United States
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(1 bid)
$300
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