Up for bid is a set of seven early 19^th C American market Chinese export porcelain plates, descended through the famous Arnold family of Rhode Island.  The plates are 9 3/4 inches in diameter and stand about 7/8 inch tall at the rim.  The plates are decorated in overglaze cobalt blue and gold.  They have a worn script monogram “A” in a shield with draperies in the centers.  The unglazed foot rims slope inward, and show a compact white paste.  There are no marks.

The plates and other pieces from the same set descended in the Rogers / Arnold family of Rhode Island.  The set was likely purchased by Samuel Greene Arnold Sr., a prominent merchant who married into the Rogers family.  His son, Samuel Greene Arnold Jr., was a state historian and US Senator for many years as part of distinguished political career.  We acquired the set from a direct descendant; it had never been out of the family.  We have other pieces available, listed separately.

Condition on the plates is fairly good.  One has a hairline crack through the body, as shown. There is wear to the gilding in places and the monogram on some of the plates is entirely gone, though a shadow is visible.  Still some nice pieces of historic Chinese export porcelain!