PAIR OF 18TH C. CHINESE EXPORT ARMORIAL PLATES
Kang Hsi, c. 1722, arms of Meade, 8.75"
Meade of Leicestershire and Essex
Paper label, The Century House, 2 King St., St. James, S.W.1
See Howard 'Chinese Armorial Porcelain', vol. I, pg. 198
From a home in Cambridge, Ma, descended through the family of Sarah Tod (d. 1943) (Mrs. Jonathan) Bulkley. Like many upper class families, the Bulkleys generally stayed out of the newspapers, however in 1915 the ''Man-Suffrage Association Opposed to Political Suffrage for Women'' announced to the press that Jonathan Bulkley had joined the effort, with members of other upper-class families.
The 1920 census found Mr. and Mrs. Bulkley in the house with their three children and eight staff members. The kitchen maid had been born in Connecticut, the chauffeur was of Italian origin, and the other six were Scandinavian: a Finnish-born laundress and five who were born in Sweden, including Oscar Wechman, the butler.
Some of them may have been on duty in February 1928 when Mrs. Bulkley reported the theft of $40,000 in jewelry from a second-floor safe above the main entrance. Mrs. Bulkley had worn a $50,000 pearl necklace to a tea, so it was not taken. The police said that it appeared to be an inside job but exonerated the servants, and it appears the case was never solved.
Very fine condition.
Estimate: $1,200 - $1,500
Realized: $2,200 - Excluding Buyer's Premium
Absence of a condition statement does not imply the lot is in perfect condition, free from flaws, restoration, or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email or telephone to our gallery. Any condition statement given either verbally or written is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. CRN bears no responsibility for error or omission. All items are sold as is. All sales are final.
Lot 34 : PAIR OF 18TH C. CHINESE EXPORT ARMORIAL PLATES
Click on image to enlarge, then click on right or left side of image to view slideshow.