A very rare Chelsea porcelain floral and bird in landscape painted blue and white glazed lobed circular plate from the Mecklenberg Strelitz service, English circa 1763/5,23cm diameter Provenance: Klaber and Klaber. London. Labelled Mecklenberg Strelitz service presented by George III and Queen Charlotte to her brother the Duke of Mecklenberg 1763This exceptionally grand service waspleted in March 1765; it marks a change in the custom of using silver to furnish dining tables by including ceramic candelabra and the large centrepiece although they retain metalwork shapes. This is not surprising given the manager of the Chelsea Porcelain Factory at the time was the silversmith Nicholas Sprimont (1716-71).In October 1766 the traveller Thomas Nugent noticed among the other 'curiosities' in the palace at Neustrelitz 'aplete service of Chelsea porcelane, rich and beautiful in fancy beyond expression. I really never saw any Dresden porcelane near so fine; her Majesty made a present of this choice collection to the Duke her brother'. The Duke was Queen Charlotte's older brother, Adolphus Frederick IV, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1738-94). There are 137 Chelsea pieces in the Royal Collection UK with five replacement pieces from the Königliche Porzellan-Manufactur, Berlin.The dinner and dessert service, known as the Mecklenberg Service, wasmissioned by King George III and Queen Charlotte, by whom it was presented to her brother, Adolphus Frederick IV, Duke of Mecklenberg-Strelitz in 1764. Other pieces from this famous service belonged to legendary art dealer Sir Joseph Duveen and James Oakes by whom it was presented to HM Queen Elizabeth, 1947 for her Silver Wedding anniversary." 23cm diameter Klaber and Klaber. Labelled Mecklenberg Strelitz service presented by George III and Queen Charlotte to her brother the Duke of Mecklenberg 1763