The 23rd Madras Native Infantry (Wallajabad Light Infantry) Officers’ Mess Dinner Plate. An extremely fine and rare example (25.5 cms) of rococo outline, the outer rim decorated in rich blue and gold swags and panelling, the central reserve with a polychrome decoration, featuring a crowned strap within laurel sprays, the strap reads ‘Now or Never’, within the strap a strung bugle horn with ‘XX111’ within the strings, below the strap two battle honour scrolls ‘Seringapatam’ and ‘Nagpore’. The reverse unmarked, c. 1824 - 1860, colour loss to the central numerals and strung bugle horn otherwise very fine condition; 51st Madras Native Infantry Officers’ Mess Porcelain Compote. A fine and rare example of white ground with pale green and gold decoration enclosing a depiction of the badge of the Regiment, this being a QVC over a circular strap ‘Regiment’ enclosing ‘51’, with attendant laurel sprays. The dish of rococo outline and a similar foot, the base stamped ‘Boucher & Co., London’. 28 x 21 x 5.5 cms. c 1850-1870, large chip to the base and slight gilt loss to some of the floral swags (2) £150-200