A rare Caughley 'Marquess of Donegall' service plate circa 1793 of circular gently fluted form, painted with gilt 'D' monogram below a coronet, the border with the family crest of a stork holding a snake within a medallion, linked to further medallion panels of classical ladies by an undulating ribbon and floral design unmarked, 21cm diameter Provenance: Ex. Wychwood Collection. Notes: Chamberlain archives record the order of this service on 18th September, 1793. This formed part of a magnificent service created for the Marquis of Donegal and exhibits some of the most beautiful work by the Turner and Chamberlain partnership at the time of its breakup. The set was Harlequin, with a different border pattern on every piece. This style of border was the most expensive produced by the factory at that time, with the entire order for 132 pieces costing £217 10s and 6d. It included eight 'sugar tureens', complete with 'Spoons' at a cost of £21 or £2.62 per tureen. A large part of the service was sold by the Donegall family at Phillips in March 1981 where it was purchased by Mercury Antiques. For further detail, see Geoffrey Godden, Chamberlain's Worcester Porcelain, 1982 pp 49-51.