65 - Two porcelain plates with heraldic decoration for the Dutch market (van Orsoij), China. Qianlong period (1736–1795), circa 1750. The plates are decorated in “Famille Rose” glazes, with gold borders and the van Orsoij coat of arms in the center. Dimensions: 22 cm. Traces of restoration on the reverse of the plates

Two porcelain plates with heraldic decoration for the Dutch market (van Orsoij), China. Qianlong period (1736–1795), circa 1750. The plates are decorated in “Famille Rose” glazes, with gold borders and the van Orsoij coat of arms in the center. Dimensions: 22 cm. Traces of restoration on the reverse of the plates Joan Arnold van Orsoij (1700–1753), a merchant and man of letters in Amsterdam, was likely the patron. He was interested in natural history and collected insects, among other things. In 1739, he married Petronella van Wijk (1714–1745), with whom he had three children. One of his daughters, Sara Salomé, married Cornelis Pieter Elout in 1766, thereby uniting the coats of arms of the Elout and Van Orsoij families. Another possible patron of the service was Jan Arnoud van Orsoij (1702–1750), a member of the family’s second branch. A merchant and bookkeeper, he lived on the Singel in Amsterdam and enjoyed a comfortable income. In 1728, he obtained Amsterdam citizenship and also held positions within the civic guard. In 1748, he was appointed lieutenant of the eleventh district of that guard. Above all, he is the first Van Orsoij for whom the use of this coat of arms is documented, specifically in 1748. This date corresponds closely to that of the service’s manufacture, around 1750. The crest, depicting an armed arm holding a sword, could also allude to his military duties and makes Jan Arnoud a particularly plausible patron. See Jochem Kroes, *Chinese Armorial Porcelain for the Dutch Market*, 2007, p. 240, no. 152.