AN ENGLISH DELFTWARE POLYCHROME ROYAL PORTRAIT CHARGER, CIRCA 1689-94 |

probably London, painted in the center with the full-length figures of King William holding the orb and sceptre and Queen Mary holding a fan beneath the initials W M and R, flanked on either side by sponged trees within a yellow line and blue dash border on the rim.

Jonathan Horne, London, February, 1989
Vogel Collection no. 511

There is a small shallow chip to the blue dash rim, located at 8 o'clock, visible in the catalogue illustration, and a fine hairline crack to the rim at 6 o'lock. To the reverse side there is a flat chip to the rim edge located at 11 o'clock, measuring approximately 3cm long with some minor associated glaze loss. Overall in good appearance.
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.

In January 1689 William and Mary were proclaimed joint sovereigns of England. Mary was the eldest daughter of James II and William of Orange was the great nephew of Charles I. Mary died in 1694 with William continuing as King until his death in 1702. As joint rulers they are often depicted standing side by side, sometimes within an interior, for which see an example formerly in the Gautier and Lomax Collections sold at Sotheby's London, February 19, 1991, lot 149, though more commonly the monarchs are depicted in a landscape. Due to his diminutive size ( he was five feet, six inches tall compared to his wife who was five feet eleven inches), William is often portrayed standing slightly set back from Mary so that their crowns appear on a level.

Two particularly similar dishes are illustrated by Michael Archer, Delftware in the Fitzwilliam Museum, London, 2013, pp. 9-10, A.8-A.9.