GROUP OF CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN ARMORIAL TEA WARES WITH THE ARMS OF ANTONIO DE ARAUJO DE AZEVEDO, CIRCA 1805.

Comprising a teacup, 2 teabowls and saucers, a side dish and a pudding dish, each painted in the center or on the exterior with the arms and "AD ARAUJO" in gold on a blue banner, the rims reserved with blue scroll-edged panels of agricultural and river landscape views alternating with roundels of wild animals and songbirds in pale purple and sepia enamels. Diameters of teabowl and saucer 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 inches. (7)The Portuguese man of letters Antonio de Araujo e Azevedo (1754-1817), 1st and only Count da Barca, had a noted career as a diplomat and politician and was the recipient of many awards and honors. Among his positions and achievements was Envoy Extraordinary to the Courts of the Hague and St. Petersburg, and Minister Plenipotentiary to the First French Republic in 1795 and 1801. Later he became Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and War. He was Minister of Naval Affairs in Brazil in 1814, and in 1817 became Prime Minister and Councilor of State. Howard & Ayers note on p. 386 in "China for the West," vol. II, that the coat-of-arms was probably designed for the Count by his friend Francesco Bartolozzi. Literature: A vegetable tureen is discussed and illustrated in Howard & Ayers, vol. II, p. 386, pl. 382.