A CHINESE EXPORT ARMORIAL PLATE, QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD, CIRCA 1705

This service was made for Thomas Pitt, who was known for his purchase of a diamond weighing 127 carats which was resold to the Regent of Orleans. It later became the most precious stone in the Crown of France, and was known as the 'The Pitt Diamond'. For the arms and additional background on Thomas Pitt, see David Sanctuary Howard, Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, London, 1974, p. 176, B1. A group of eight plates, along with a pair of large chargers were sold at Christie's New York, January 18, 2018, lots 108 and 109.