Estimate

800 - 1.200

Session 1

20 July 2026

Hammer Price

Description

Chinese export porcelain
Decorated with Famille Rose enamels, underglaze blue and gilt, depicting at the centre the arms of the Preston family of Valleyfield House, Scotland, with the motto "Praesto Ut Praestem"
Octagonal border, decorated with a 'Fitzhugh' style border
Qianlong period, c. 1780

Diam.: 15,5 cm

Additional Information

The pieces with this decoration belong to one of the four services commissioned by Sir Robert Preston (1740–1834), of the Preston family of Valleyfield House, Scotland. Preston began his career in the English East India Company as a naval officer and, after several voyages to India, achieved the rank of captain in 1767. He accumulated enough wealth to invest in his own ships, eventually managing a fleet of around 30 vessels in the service of the Company, becoming a prominent figure in maritime trade at the end of the 18th century. In 1800 he inherited the title of 6th Baronet of Valleyfield.

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