Twelve Chinese armorial plates

Of circular form, decorated en grisaille, the centre with a highly stylised monogram AGK within a wreath surmounted by a royal crown, the well encircled by a gilt scroll-pattern border, the flattened rim with three peony sprays and gilding around the edge, the back glazed. Period: Qianlong 1740’s. Diameter: 23 cm.

Parts of this service were salvaged from the East Indiaman Götheborg in 1906‑1907 by James Kieller and Carl Lyon and further parts in 1985 by the Marine Archaeological Society of Gothenburg. The East Indiaman Götheborg went down in 1745 on its way back from China, just a few miles from her home destination.
It has been suggested the service was ordered for George II of England and his wife Caroline of Ansbach.