A CHINESE EXPORT ARMORIAL LARGE TANKARD circa 1720

painted on the front of the cylindrical body with the elaborately mantled arms of Captain Harry Gough impaling those of his wife Elizabeth Hynde between underglaze-blue trellis diaper borders, the lower body encircled by gilt-heightened molded ridges. 

Handle with a 2 mm frit on the upper edge and a 1 inch firing crack on the spine issuing in both directions a 1/2-inch and a 2 inch glaze crack.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Howard 1974, pp. 165, 166 and 171, nos. A3, A4 and A5, illustrates a plate from each of five services made for the Gough family between 1710 and 1730, the latter four all with the arms of Gough impaling Hynde.  Although this mug is differently bordered from each of these services, the powerfully baroque arms and mantling most closely resemble the service made circa 1720 (op. cit., p. 166, no. A4), a large plate from which is illustrated by Litzenburg and Bailey, p. 86, no. 71.  An identical mug is illustrated by Howard 1997, p. 98, no. 113, possibly the example sold at Sotheby's in London on November 1, 1989, lot 459 (which also included a 4 3/4-inch mug with these arms).  Three graduated mugs with these arms were in the collection of Cecil H. Bullivant, sold at Phillips in London on March 22, 1988, lots 5 (6 5/16 inches), 6 (6 1/8 inches) and 7 (4 3/4 inches).