Superb English porcelain plate / charger,
hand painted with the SEMANS DUKE armorials, to celebrate the 30th anniversary
of the wedding of tobacco heiress Mary Duke Biddle to pioneering Doctor, James H Semans in 1953.
 
Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semens (1920-2012) was heiress and grandaughter of Benjamin Duke, who made his fortune in the tobacco and energy industries. Her mother was his daughter, Mary Lilian Duke and her cousin, Doris Duke was described as the richest girl in the world.
 
Despite the family wealth, Mary was a giving philanthropist, politician and civil rights activist in Durham, North Carolina.
Hospitals, Universties, bear the Duke name and were well supported. Lincoln Community Hospital was built to support African Americans and she was elected Mayor Pro Tempore of Durham, on a platform of Black voter registration. 
 
She grew up in the Duke Mansion, on 1009 5th Avenue, New York, one of the last family owned gilded age mansions in the street. Her love of art was inspired by the Metropolitan Museum opposite.
 
Perfect condition, measures 30cm  (12 Inches wide).