A CHINESE EXPORT AMERICAN ARMORIAL SOUP TUREEN AND COVER CIRCA 1795

from a service made for Elias Morgan of Hartford, Connecticut, painted with the arms of Morgan and inscribed beneath in script Elias Morgan within or beneath a narrow blue enamel and gilt husk border at the rim.

Sotheby's, London, March 5, 1972, lot 113;
Christie's, London, March 14, 1977, lot 117

Gordon, 1977, p. 142, pl. 131

Both pieces - slight wear to the gilding on the rims and knop otherwise in very good condition.
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.

The present piece is from one of two services owned by the Morgan family of Hartford, Connecticut. The other, almost identically decorated but inscribed simply Morgan, was made for John Morgan (1753-1842), half brother to Elias Morgan (1770-1812), and is thought to be the earlier service. Family tradition notes that the earlier service was brought back from Canton on the 'Empress of China', the first American vessel to sail to China in 1785. John Morgan (1750-1785), nephew to John and Elias, was a carpenter on the aforementioned ship and died on the return journey. The ship's records note that his effects included two punch bowls, however no mention was made of a service and, since the borders on both services suggest a somewhat later date, it seems most likely that they were ordered a few years later. For a more detailed discussion of the above see Lange, 2005, pp. 248-249, no. 105, where the author clarifies earlier confusions regarding the two John Morgans.