Rare counter with Chinese inscription

Rare counter with Chinese inscription

Code: SP111

Dimensions:

W: 3cm (1.2")L: 4.5cm (1.8")

SOLD

This is not strictly speaking an armorial counter - but even rarer if that is possible! This counter made circa 1810 to special order in Canton  with six Chinese characters to the front and diaper to reverse. Lovely m-o-p. Cowan refers to this as made for SERGENT ( pages 88-89). I know of only three sets made with Chinese characters as the vast majority were not for local use but destined exclusively for the UK market  (and some for Europe).