Gaming Counter with the Arms of Pigot

Title

Gaming Counter with the Arms of Pigot

Description

This counter shows the arms of coat of Pigot of Westminster, England. Remarkable about this specific counter is that it is very plain and lacking any decoration. Instead, the coat of arms is divided up into the shield which is depicted on one side of the counter and the crest, on the other side.

 

It is reported that in 1745 a set of porcelain was ordered from Ch’ien Lung for the son of Richard Pigot of Westminster, George.[1] He was born in 1719 and functioned as Governor of Fort St. George in Madras from 1755 to -63 and again from 1775 to 1777. It is very likely that this set of gaming counters came into England on board the same ship as the porcelain. George was made baronet in 1764 and baron in 1766 and died in Madras in 1777 under mysterious circumstances while imprisoned. He had no legitimate heirs.[2]


[1] David S. Howard.2003. Chinese Armorial Porcelain. Vol.2 London. Faber. p. 251.

[2]  Courthope, William Edt. 1835. Debett’s Baronetage of England 7th Edition. London: Printed for J. G. and F.                     Rivington. P. 185.

 

Source

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

Date

1745

Format

Mother of Pearl

Identifier

2015.39.70

Coverage

Made in Guangzhou (Canton), China

Physical Dimensions

1.43" Diameter

Files

20153970a.jpg
20153970b.jpg

Citation

“Gaming Counter with the Arms of Pigot,” Chinese Armorial Gaming Counters, accessed July 8, 2024, https://chinesearmorialgamingcounters.omeka.wlu.edu/items/show/58.