What is armorial porcelain?

Armorial porcelain refers to ceramic tableware, vases, and decorative pieces painted with a specific family coat of arms or crest. These items were typically commissioned by noble families or wealthy merchants to display lineage and status on the dining table. Most surviving examples date from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, originating from major European factories or Chinese export kilns. Each piece serves as both functional tableware and a specific historical record of a family or title.

How can I identify the family crest?

Identifying the coat of arms involves examining the heraldic elements, including the shield, helm, crest, and sometimes a motto or supporters. Reference books on British and European heraldry help match these visual components to the original families who commissioned the services. Many listings note the specific historical figure or family associated with the arms, such as Baron Carbery or the Earl of Northington. Researching the recorded name provides direct context about the original owner and the date of commission.

Were these pieces made in China?

A substantial portion of eighteenth-century armorial porcelain was manufactured in China for the European export market. European trading companies sent drawings of family coats of arms to Chinese kilns, where painters copied the heraldry onto porcelain blanks. These Chinese export pieces, often featuring famille rose enamels, arrived alongside items produced domestically in English and French factories. Both origins utilised similar heraldic source material translated through different regional ceramic traditions.

How should I display these pieces?

Armorial plates and dishes adapt well to wall mounting using proper plate hangers or display within enclosed cabinets to protect the painted surfaces. Because many items include delicate overglaze enamels and gilt highlights, placement away from direct sunlight preserves the colours. Vases and serving vessels function effectively as standalone decorative objects on stable surfaces where the painted coats of arms remain visible. Gentle dusting with a soft, dry cloth maintains the glaze without risking the historic pigments.

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Coat of arms porcelain combines heraldic precision with ceramic artistry, offering collectors historic plates, bowls, and vases painted with specific family crests.

19th century

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19th Century Samson of Paris Armorial Style Porcelain Bowl

From Richard Anthony Rush Antiques

£225

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Coat of Arms Porcelain

19th Century Samson of Paris Armorial Style Porcelain Bowl

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