Counter with the Arms of Coulson

Counter with the Arms of Coulson

This early eighteenth-century gaming counter bears the arms of the Coulson family. It comes from a set that was likely produced for William Coulson (1692-1750) of Jesmond House in Northumberland or his son. William married Jane Blenkinsopp (1696-?) in 1727. Jane was the daughter of Thomas Blenkinsopp and the last remaining heir of the Blenkinsopp family of Blenkinsopp Castle.i John Blenkinsopp Coulson (1729-1788), the eldest son of William and Jane, is the other possible owner of this counter. Following his father’s death in 1750, John took his father’s place as the family head.ii John died unmarried, and his younger brother succeeded him. The Coulson family arms include two ardent dolphins connected by a chain that adorn the shield. The family crest is a pelican. Dolphins often represent charity and love in heraldry, and pelicans represent self-sacrifice.

i John Burke, A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain
and Ireland Vol. II. p.525
ii David Sanctuary Howard, Chinese Armorial Porcelain. 1974, p.309

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

1745

Mother-of-Pearl

Guangzhou (Canton), China

1.25in