A cup Chinese export porcelain polychrome and gilt decoration with the Royal arms of Great Britain, Prussia and Holland Qianlong period (1736-1795) hairlines, small chips, wear to the gilt Dimensões (altura x comprimento x largura) - 6,4 x 6,8 cm Notes: Nuno de Castro collection. vd. HOWARD, David Sanctuary - "Chinese Armorial Porcelain – volume II". London: Heirloom & Howard Limited, 2003, p. 614, W5, which reads:
"The arms on the three shields are the Royal Arms of Britain, Prussia and Holland (each beneath a coronet which is not correct). They are joined by a ribbon.

There is no doubt that this tea service was made to celebrate the Triple Alliance between the three countries in 1788. This alliance, which represented something of a triumph for William Pitt, had a number of beneficial effects which included preventing Denmark from joining Russia in her war with Sweden, precluding a war between Prussia and Austria, helping to defuse a dangerous dispute between Britain and Spain over Nootka Sound, Vancouver, and binding Britain and Holland more closely until at least 1793 when war with France gradually developed into the Napoleonic Wars.

The Alliance effectively lasted from 1788 to 1793 and it is likely that this porcelain was ordered shortly after it was signed; however, there is no indication as to who ordered this unusual armorial service, although presumably a beneficiary of the Treaty – possibly for political motives."