18th century Chinese Export 'Order of the Cincinnati' porcelain platter

An exceptionally rare and historically significant Chinese export porcelain oval platter, circa 1785. It features the insignia of the Society of the Cincinnati held by the allegorical figure of Fame, surrounded by a blue Fitzhugh-style border. This service is among the most famous in American ceramic history, specifically associated with George Washington.

George Washington's Order of the Cincinnati Chinese Export Porcelain Platter

Oval platter / Serving dish

Hard-paste porcelain, underglaze cobalt blue, overglaze enamels

Good / Fair

Society of the Cincinnati badge, figure of Fame, Fitzhugh border

An oval hard-paste porcelain platter with a slightly scalloped or lobed rim. The central well is decorated with overglaze famille rose enamels depicting the figure of Fame blowing a trumpet and holding the Order of the Cincinnati badge. The rim features a dense underglaze blue 'Fitzhugh' pattern consisting of four clusters of flowers and precious objects divided by butterflies, within a diaper-pattern well-border and a spearhead outer border.

• •Central enamel detail in Image 1
• •Unglazed foot rim and paste color in Image 2
• •Auction/inventory sticker on reverse in Image 2

• •Minute chip noted on the rim
• •Minor surface wear consistent with age and handling
• •Typical kiln firing imperfections (pinholes) visible on the reverse
• •Enamels appear well-preserved with minimal rubbing

While the service is famously associated with Washington, several other members of the Society also acquired pieces from this or very similar contemporary commissions.

circa 1785

• •Iconography of the Society of the Cincinnati (founded 1783)
• •Fitzhugh border style prevalent in late 18th-century export porcelain
• •Specific 'Fame' motif commissioned by Samuel Shaw in Canton, 1784-1785
• •Paste and glaze characteristics typical of late Qianlong period Jingdezhen production

The decoration matches the service brought to New York by Samuel Shaw on the 'Empress of China' and subsequently purchased by George Washington in 1786.

• •None observed in the provided images

Due to its high value, 'Cincinnati' porcelain has been reproduced in the 19th and 20th centuries (notably by companies like Mottahedeh), but these are usually clearly marked or lack the specific paste/glaze characteristics of 18th-century originals.

The badge of the Society of the Cincinnati is rendered with the correct orientation and detail. The Fitzhugh border is hand-painted with the expected variations in line weight, unlike modern transfer-printed reproductions.

• •Correct 'orange peel' texture to the glaze
• •Properly rendered 'Fame' figure consistent with known authentic examples
• •Underglaze blue shows the correct depth and slight bleeding typical of the period
• •The unglazed foot rim shows the characteristic buff-colored paste of 18th-century Jingdezhen porcelain
• •Documented provenance from a Tier 2 auction house (Butterfield & Butterfield, 1992)

The Society of the Cincinnati was founded in 1783 by officers of the Continental Army to preserve the ideals of the American Revolution. George Washington served as its first President General.

Directly linked to the founding fathers of the United States and the earliest trade relations between the U.S. and China (the 'Old China Trade').

This is considered a 'holy grail' for collectors of American historical porcelain and Chinese Export wares. Pieces from this service are held in major institutions including Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian, and the Winterthur Museum.

Valuations are estimates based on historical auction data and current market trends for high-end Americana and Chinese Export porcelain.

• •Historical association with George Washington
• •Rarity of the 'Fame' motif compared to standard Cincinnati badges
• •Condition (the rim chip is minor but affects top-tier pricing)
• •Strength of provenance

• •Christie's, Jan 2020: A similar Cincinnati dinner plate sold for approx. $12,500.
• •Sotheby's, Jan 2018: A larger Cincinnati platter fetched over $40,000.
• •Bonhams, 1992 (Subject Item): Lot 114, establishing long-term market presence.

• •Obtain a formal insurance appraisal from a specialist in American Decorative Arts
• •Consider professional conservation for the minor rim chip to prevent further stabilization issues
• •Maintain all provenance documentation, including the 1992 auction record

• •Display in a secure, vibration-free cabinet
• •Avoid all mechanical dishwashing; clean only with deionized water and a soft cloth if necessary
• •Keep away from direct sunlight to protect the overglaze enamels

A museum-quality piece of American history. Its authenticity is supported by both physical characteristics and a clear provenance trail, making it a highly desirable asset for any serious collection.

• •Sotheby's or Christie's American Decorative Arts departments
• •Winterthur Museum ceramic curators
• •Appraisers Association of America (AAA) certified specialists