Dia.: 20,8 cm (the plate)
Dia.: 14 cm (the saucers)
Dia.: 14,3 cm - H.: 6,9 cm (the bowl)
L.: 22 cm - H.: 14,6 cm (the teapot)
L.: 10 cm - H.: 7,3 cm (the cups incl. handle)

This part of a Chinese porcelain service from the Compagnie des Indes includes a coffee pot, a teapot, a bowl, a large biscuit dish, a very large sugar bowl, and two cups with their saucers. This order dates to the end of the Qianlong period, around 1790, and bears the arms of the La Motte-Baracé family: "Argent, a sable lion surrounded by four merlettes of the same, charged in the center with an escutcheon argent with a gules fess, flory of six pieces."

The Maltese cross in the background allows for a precise dating of the commission, as it could only be displayed on a coat of arms by bailiffs, commanders, and grand crosses, meaning between 1786 and 1789.

The external garland, characteristic of late decorations from 1785-1790, subtly reflects the restrained lines of the neoclassical style, as seen on the coolers from the Rolland du Roscoat service (Lebel, p.181). In contrast, the arms are rendered in a rococo style, offering a rich composition supported by lions with human-like expressions. A banner crowning the entire piece bears the motto: Lenitatis fortitudo comes (Strength is the companion of gentleness).

The La Motte-Baracé family, known since the 13th century, originates from Anjou. Divided into two branches, the elder (de Senonnes) remained in Anjou, while the younger (de Coudray-Montpensier) moved to Touraine. Jean de La Motte Baracé (1568-1637) took part in the siege of Amiens in 1597. He became lord of Senonnes in 1624. The Château de Senonnes is located in Anjou, south of Mayenne. It remained in this family until 1757, when it was sold by Pierre-Louis de La Motte-Baracé (1708-1758), captain in King Louis XV's regiment.

Philippe-Claude-René, Count of La Motte-Baracé, was a lieutenant-colonel of cavalry in the Crussol regiment, knight of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis, and lieutenant of the marshals of France. He was the great-nephew of Henri de Valliere, who, having no descendants, bequeathed him the Château du Coudray-Montpensier, a massive medieval estate whose initial construction was undertaken by the Bournan family.

Alexandre de La Motte-Baracé was cited by the explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville as 'chevalier de Bournand,' a title borrowed from the former lords of this estate. From the younger branch, known as de Coudray-Montpensier, Alexandre was born in 1736. He was the son of Philippe-Claude-René de La Motte-Baracé, who married Catherine Guillot de La Bardoullière on December 17, 1731, in Cuon (Anjou).

According to the annals of the Academic Society of Nantes published in 1896, young Alexandre, only four years old, was received as a knight of the Order of Malta on January 15, 1740. In his work "History of the Order of the Knights of Malta" (Paris, 1819), Abbé de Vertot mentions this practice inherent to the knights of Malta: "...for about a century, knights have been appointed as minors or even at birth: a very recent practice that the ambition of fathers and mothers for their children's advancement has made very common, and of which we will briefly report the origin."

Thus, Alexandre, carried by his parents' ambition, benefited from this privilege newly granted to very young knights. His youth at Coudray-Montpensier, an immense estate on the borders of Anjou, Poitou, and Touraine, was undoubtedly influenced by the presence of a father whose military career was highly successful. However, his choice to join the Royal Navy led him towards another destiny.

In 1753, at the age of seventeen, he joined the Marine Guards (John Dunmore, Storms and Dreams, 2008, p. 272). The Marine Guards register described him as "tall, well-built, with a noble air, well-educated. He knows geometry well, has devoted himself to the study of physics, excels in all aspects of the profession, and is adept at naval maneuvers. A distinguished subject: he is proficient in the English language."

On May 23, 1754, he was appointed ensign and joined the Lys. According to Dunmore, he was taken prisoner by Admiral Boscawen's squadron just before the Seven Years' War. Imprisoned in England, he was later released on parole and sent to serve in the Mediterranean with the Knights of Malta, whose main function was to protect the island from Turkish offensives.

He became an adjunct member of the Royal Academy of Marine on August 29, 1754.

On November 1, 1756, he was appointed second lieutenant of artillery at the beginning of the Seven Years' War. This major conflict in European history, the first that could be described as a "world war," lasted from 1756 to 1763 and was the setting for his first battles.

From April 1 to November 11, 1756, he served on the ship Foudroyant in Barrin de La Galissonnière's squadron and participated in the Battle of Minorca (May 20, 1756), won against Admiral Byng's English fleet.

In its inadequate efforts to support Canada's defensive positions, reinforcements were sent to assist the colony. From April 15 to December 26, 1757, he served on the ship Superbe in Du Bois de La Motte's squadron, tasked with aiding Louisbourg, Canada. He took part in defending the fort against the English Vice-Admiral Holburne's attacks (August 19-20 and September 16-26, 1757).

Departing from Brest in the spring of 1756, Louis-Antoine de Bougainville had joined Canada with the troops of the Marquis de Montcalm. This future explorer, not yet a naval officer, would soon cross paths with Alexandre de La Motte-Baracé.

(Source: Mr. Patrice Vasson, independant researcher)

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