A CHINESE EXPORT ARMORIAL SILVER-SHAPE SMALL COFFEE POT AND COVER circa 1753-55

painted on either side of the fluted pear-shaped body in gilding delineated in iron-red and oxidized silver with the arms of the Royal Prussian Bengal Company of Emden between male supporters holding banners inscribed TURBOR or HINC COPIA RERUM above a double-gourd-shaped panel inscribed with the monogram VKPBCE bisecting the motto NON NISI EIANTE NUMINE, the cover decorated on either side with a gilt flowering branch, and each piece with a gilt floral meander border near the rim.  The lower body with a hair crack and the rim with a shallow chip.

Wouter Brouwer Antiques, 1988

San Francisco, Fall Antiques Show, 1995

The foot with a minor haircrack and shallow rim chip, the rim with a shallow 1/2-inch chip on the upper edge, 4" haircrack on the bulge of body starting between the spout and coat of arms, curving downwards and running up to initialed panel under the coat of arms, also 1/4-inch area of fritting on the flute in the right male supporter's left leg, some wear to the gilding on the arms on one side, slight wear to gilding on cover.
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.

A shaped oval stand from this service is illustrated by Kroes, p. 15, pl. VI; and by Jörg 1997, p. 316, no. 377, who identifies the monogram as the initials "of the Vereinigte Königlich-Preussische Bengalische Companie (zu) Emden, a short-lived commercial enterprise, which was based at the German port of Emden in Ost Friesland.  In 1754 Friedrich II of Prussia licensed this company to trade with Bengal, but only one ship was dispatched, the Prinz Heinrich von Preussen, which sailed in 1754 from Emden and traded in India, but was wrecked there on its return voyage.  Part of the cargo was salvaged and came to Emden in 1762 on the König von Preussen, a ship of the Royal Prussian Asian Company of Emden.  A tea service with these arms was very likely part of the cargo of the Prinz Heinrich."  Jörg, p. 317, also translates the motto as "I am driven from here for many reasons, but only if the god encourages me."