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Armorial ware or heraldic china (and a variety of other terms) are ceramics decorated with a coat of arms, either that of a family, or an institution or place. Armorials have been popular on European pottery from the Middle Ages with examples seen on Spanish 
The term is most often associated with Chinese export porcelain, often decorated with the arms and crests of European and American families from the late 17th century through the 19th century. A painting of the arms was sent out to China, and after a considerable period the painted service arrived. British clients imported about 4000 services from 1695 until 1820, when a new prohibitive tax stopped the trade, as the British government sought to protect the domestic potteries.
They were, and even more are, often used at table only on special occasions. They are popular with collectors. Seventeenth-century Dutch armorial plates are called ''wapenborden'' and were commonly sold with recurring emblems that cannot be traced to any specific family.
File:Manises Basin with arms of Maria of Castile VA 243-1853.jpg,
Armorial ware or heraldic china (and a variety of other terms) are ceramics decorated with a coat of arms, either that of a family, or an institution or place. Armorials have been popular on European pottery from the Middle Ages with examples seen on Spanish Hispano-Moresque ware
Hispano-Moresque ware is a style of initially Islamic pottery created in Al-Andalus, which continued to be produced under Christian rule in styles blending Islamic and European elements. It was the most elaborate and luxurious pottery being pr ...
, Italian maiolica, slipware, English and Dutch Delft, and on porcelain from the 18th century. Earlier examples were mostly large pieces such as jugs or basins and ewers, but later whole table services, all painted with the arms, were produced.
Silver tableware also often had coats of arms engraved on it, but as porcelain replaced metal as the favoured material for elite tableware in the 18th century, armorial porcelain became very popular. When overglaze decoration was used, the pottery could produce the glazed ware without the arms, which were then added when a commission was received.
The term is most often associated with Chinese export porcelain, often decorated with the arms and crests of European and American families from the late 17th century through the 19th century. A painting of the arms was sent out to China, and after a considerable period the painted service arrived. British clients imported about 4000 services from 1695 until 1820, when a new prohibitive tax stopped the trade, as the British government sought to protect the domestic potteries.
They were, and even more are, often used at table only on special occasions. They are popular with collectors. Seventeenth-century Dutch armorial plates are called ''wapenborden'' and were commonly sold with recurring emblems that cannot be traced to any specific family.
Hispano-Moresque ware
Hispano-Moresque ware is a style of initially Islamic pottery created in Al-Andalus, which continued to be produced under Christian rule in styles blending Islamic and European elements. It was the most elaborate and luxurious pottery being pr ...
, Manises, basin with arms of Maria of Castile, before 1458
File:Nicola da urbino, piatto con il supplizio di marsia, 1525 ca..JPG, Italian maiolica dish by Nicola da Urbino
Nicola da Urbino (ca. 1480 – 1540/1547) formerly confused with Nicola Pellipario has traditionally been designated as the Italian ceramicist from Castel Durante in Marche who introduced into painted maiolica the new ''istoriato'' style, i ...
, c. 1525, with story of Marsyas.
File:Bord, veelkleurig beschilderd met een wapen met als helmteken een vogel met gestrekte vleugels. Gekartelde rand..jpeg, 1620 - ca.1640 Dutch armorial plate, Rijksmuseum
File:Custard Cup and Cover LACMA 33.1.1.6a-b (1 of 2).jpg, Chinese "custard cup", c. 1750
File:Porslins-tallrik med Grillska vapnet.jpg, Plate for the Swedish Grill family
The Grill family are noted for their contribution to the Swedish iron industry and for exports of iron and copper during the 18th century. Starting as silversmiths and experts on noble metals the Grills became engaged in a wide range of busines ...
, China, 18th century.
File:Willem Jansz. Verstraeten - Scotel met onbekende wapen BK-NM-14179.jpg, 1645-1655 Haarlem armorial plate, Rijksmuseum
See also
* Goss crested chinaReferences
Types of pottery decoration Chinese porcelain {{Heraldry-stub