A plate from an Italian princely service, 19th century

An unusual octagonal porcelain plate, 10 ins / 24 cm in diameter, with a rich royal blue and gilt border. Its precise use is obscure to us but there is a very pronounced dished area to one side. The plate, by a Paris maker or supplier in the Rue Drouot, is very well painted with a royal crown above a blue scroll held by a bird and with the word SIRIGNANO in gilt. It is most likely that this plate was once part of a service belonging to the Prince of Sirignano, holder of a title granted by the King Emperor Charles VI and resident at Palazzo Sirignano in Naples. The family was related to Gattapardo di Lampedusa. Something about the decoration suggests to us that it may have been a service used on a yacht.  There is one small chip to the deep foot rim [shown in one of the illustrations].     aug22/3