Gaming Counter with the Arms of Peers (2)

Title

Gaming Counter with the Arms of Peers (2)

Description

This counter shows the arms of Peers of Chiselhampton Lodge in Oxfordshire, England. The shield holds three lion heads while the crest above the shield depicts a griffin.[1]

 

This counter belonged to Charles Peers, born in 1703 as the second son of Sir Charles Peers (1661-1737) who served as a chairman of the East India Company (1714) and as the Lord Mayor of London (1715/16).[2]

 

In 1731 Charles Peers ordered two porcelain services decorated with his coat of arms. The invoice is dated to Canton on 10 December 1731 and reads: “Invoice of two Chests of China Ware, Laden on board the Ship Harrison, Cpt Samuel Martin, Commander, bound to the port of London and to go consigned to Charles Peers Esq. on his proper Aud. and Risque.”[3]

 

Most likely the gaming counters left China together with the porcelain. Charles Peers ordered a second set of gaming counters which he gave to his sister Sarah. (See 15.39.57) However, the coat of arms on her counters are in the shape of a lozenge, the common shape of the arms of an unmarried woman.

 


[1] David S. Howard.2003. Chinese Armorial Porcelain. Vol.2 London. Faber. p. 249.

[2] John Burke, Bernard Burke.1850. A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the           Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland. London: H. Colburn.

[3]  David S. Howard. p. 80.

Source

Museum Purchase with Funds provided by H.F. Lenfest, W. Groke Mickey, and the Frances and Beverly M. DuBose Foundation

Date

1731/32

Format

Mother of Pearl

Identifier

2015.39.58

Coverage

Made in Guangzhou (Canton), China

Physical Dimensions

1.47 "

Files

2015_39_58a.jpg
2015_39_58b.jpg
bib.jpg

Citation

“Gaming Counter with the Arms of Peers (2),” Chinese Armorial Gaming Counters, accessed July 8, 2024, https://chinesearmorialgamingcounters.omeka.wlu.edu/items/show/56.