A pair of Chinese bianco sopra bianco armorial dishes with the arms of van Herzeele for the Dutch market, Qianlong, ca. 1740-1745

Dia.: 26,3 cm (the largest)
Dia.: 25,6 cm (the smallest)

The Van Herzeele family originated in Antwerp, where they had been established since the 1530s. In the 17th century, members of the family relocated to Hamburg (in 1613), then to Nantes, and eventually settled in Rotterdam and Amsterdam after 1685. In both Dutch cities, prominent patrician branches of the family emerged during the 18th and 19th centuries. Several members of these branches were associated with the Dutch East India Company (VOC), particularly the brothers Jan (1718–1770) and Thijmon Pieter (1719–1758), as well as their granduncles Pierre or Pieter (1702–1783) and Jan Jacob van Herzeele (1704–1756). It is likely that one of these four commissioned the armorial service. (Source: Kroes, 2007)

Ref.: 
- Minneapolis Institute of Art, Accession Number 92.158.8, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leo A. Hodroff, for a plate from this service. (link)
- J. Kroes, 'Chinese Armorial Porcelain for the Dutch Market', pp. 300-301, no. 217 for a lengthy discussion on the coat of arms and the origin of this service.

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(UV-checked)
- The left dish has normal superficial wear, with a small filled and retouched chip at approximately 1 o’clock.
- The second dish is in excellent condition, with normal superficial wear. The white enamels show slight yellow discolouration.