Chinese Armorial porcelain has been the envy of collectors worldwide since the late mid to late 18th century. Wealthy aristocrats in England and the Europe would commission services for their families and sometimes, an Amorial porcelain set which would comprise hundreds of pieces. Traders running between the port of Canton and various European ports would ply their trade, picking up spices and other various goods including Chinese Armorial porcelain from families who had ordered their service somtimes up to 3 years prior.
It would take artisans based in Jingdezhen which has always been known as the centre of Chinese porcelain production for hundreds of years. Chinese armorial ceramics of the 18th century generally come with an unglazed base, clearly showing the earthenware / porcelain from which it was made. Services are extremely elaborate and a recent valuation for a Chinese armorial charger displaying the arms of King Frederick the 2nd of Germany with the 26 houses of the German royal family astounded it's owners with a figure of between 80 to 100,000 GBP. Edme Samson was a 19th century maker copying Chinese Armorial porcelain of the 18th century and his works are highly sort after.
