Social Media Identifies Chinese Plates

Social media came into action when Auctioneer Paul Keen reached out to try and identify the crest on two Chinese 18th century armorial plates.

Posting them on Twitter saw an almost immediate response by an eagle eyed specialist, who provided superb academic information, as well as a video of a page from “Heirloom and Howard” with further details.

The crest was identified as Hardwicke, of Staffordshire and Derbyshire. The Hardwicks were originally from Hardwick in Derbyshire and had lived in North Staffordshire since the fourteenth century. The service was possibly made for Captain Peter Hardwicke of the East Indiaman Earl of Lincoln, who was at Canton in 1764 and 1767.

They are now coming up for auction on the 8th June as part of the Antiques, Silver & Collectables Auction, where they will be Lot 192.

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