A PAIR OF CHINESE ARMORIAL PORCELAIN MUGS

A PAIR OF CHINESE ARMORIAL PORCELAIN MUGS, C1780-80 arms and gilt sprigs, entwined handle, 15cm hProvenance: Henry Wellesley, 1st Baron Cowley, GCB (1773-1847) (younger brother of the Iron Duke); thence by descent to the late vendor.The arms are a version of those of Spencer, descended from the marriage of Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland and Lady Anne Churchill, younger daughter of the great Duke of Marlborough.The present arms appear to be hitherto unrecorded on Chinese armorial porcelain.