18th Century Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Soup Bowl

• Armorial / Armourial - Bearing a coat of arms. Coats of arms came into general use by feudal lords and knights in in the 12th century, and by the 13th century, arms had spread beyond their initial battlefield use to become a flag or emblem for families in the higher social classes of Europe. They were inherited from one generation to the next. When a family crest is used on individual items of silver or furniture it is an indicator of the aristocratic standing of the family represented.
  
  Armorials were also used to decorate mass produced ceramic souvenir ware by such companies as Goss, Carlton & Shelley, and in these cases the coats of arms displayed were of boroughs and cities.
• East India Company - The British East India Company was a British trading company that was active from 1600 to 1858. It was one of the leading commercial enterprises of its time and played a key role in the development of British trade and commerce with India, China, and Southeast Asia.
  
  The British East India Company was granted a monopoly on trade with the East Indies by the English government, and it quickly established a network of trading posts and settlements throughout India and Southeast Asia. The company was involved in numerous wars and conflicts in India and Southeast Asia, and it gradually gained political influence over large parts of the region.
  
  
  In addition to its commercial activities, the British East India Company was also involved in the spread of British culture and influence in the regions it traded with. The company played a significant role in the introduction of British goods, ideas, and institutions in India and Southeast Asia, and it was instrumental in the establishment of the British Empire in India.
  The British East India Company was dissolved in 1858, following the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
  
  
  
  
  The Dutch East India Company, also known as the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC), was a Dutch trading company that was active from 1602 to 1798. It was one of the first multinational corporations in the world and one of the largest commercial enterprises in history.
  
  The Dutch East India Company was established with the goal of establishing a trade monopoly in the spice trade with the East Indies. The company was granted a 21-year monopoly on the Dutch spice trade, and it quickly became one of the most successful and powerful trading companies in the world.
  
  Over the course of the 17th and 18th centuries, the Dutch East India Company expanded its reach and influence throughout Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the Far East. The company established a network of trading posts and colonies, and it played a major role in the commercial and political development of many regions in Asia.
  
  Despite its commercial success, the Dutch East India Company was also notorious for its ruthless treatment of local populations and its exploitation of resources. The company was involved in numerous conflicts and wars throughout its history, and it was accused of using slave labor and engaging in acts of piracy.
  
  The Dutch East India Company was dissolved in 1798.
• Grisaille -
  Decorative painting in monochrome, usually shades of grey, olive green or buff, painted on wood, plaster, ceramic or stone surfaces to imitate marble figural sculpture or relief ornament.
  
  
  
  Grisaille, from the French "gris", or grey (colour) is a painting technique in which a monochrome image is created using only shades of gray, black and white, usually created by using a gray underpainting or a limited colour palette. It is often used to create the illusion of sculpture or relief on a flat surface, and was commonly used during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
  
  The technique of grisaille has been used in decorative arts for centuries. It was commonly used in the Renaissance and Baroque periods in Europe to create the illusion of sculptural relief on flat surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and furniture. This technique allowed artists to create the illusion of depth and dimensionality without the use of colour.
  
  During the Rococo period, grisaille was often used in the production of ceramics and porcelain to create finely detailed designs on a white or light-colored surface.
  
  In the 19th century, grisaille continued to be used in decorative arts, particularly in the production of ceramics, both Western and Oriental.
  
  
• Laurel Leaf - The use of the laurel leaf as a decorative element can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was closely associated with victory and honour. In these cultures, the laurel was a sacred tree that was dedicated to the god Apollo and was believed to have protective and healing properties.
  
  In ancient Greece, the laurel wreath was awarded to victors in athletic competitions, such as the Olympic Games, as a symbol of their achievement. The wreath was also associated with academic achievement, and was often worn by scholars and poets. The Greeks also used the laurel leaf as a symbol of victory in war, and it was often depicted in artwork alongside images of triumphant warriors and heroes.
  
  The Romans continued this tradition, and the laurel wreath became a symbol of the highest military honor, the triumph, awarded to victorious generals. The wreath was also used to crown emperors and other important officials, and was often depicted in Roman art and architecture as a symbol of power and authority.
  
  The laurel leaf is still used as a symbol of achievement, success, and excellence, and is frequently used in logos, emblems, and other branding materials. Its association with victory and honour has made it a popular choice for awards, medals, and other forms of recognition.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Chinese ceramics, export ware
  • export ware, bowls and dishes 270
  • export ware, plates 188
• Chinese ceramics, item type - plates 831