A Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Nut Basket with Underplate

18th century, porcelain hand painted with an Armorial crest of gilt and cobalt blue with a regal cape and ribbons surrounding the letters SM, blue and gilt diaper pattern to rim of basket and underplate, the basket has square handles with berry sprays and armorial crest both sides, the oval underplate has a large armorial crest to center, reticulated border like on the basket, with same gilt star border against cobalt blue ground.
Basket 4 1/2 x 9 x 7 1/4 in., Underplate 9 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.
Collection of a Gentleman, Eastern North Carolina
Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.lelandlittle.com

Overall very good estate condition; some minor losses to gilt rim; small felt feet to the underside of the underplate.