PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — The rare two-handled cup and saucer with the insignia of the Order of the Cincinnati came from the Chinese export porcelain service made for Samuel Shaw, one of the founders of the society. It was the top selling item in Ron Bourgeault’s April 2 sale at Northeast Auctions, finishing at $51,600.

The advanced collectors who purchased it, Ched and Sandy Cluthe, said that the form is extremely rare. They were in the room and held out over an almost equally intent internet bidder. Shaw was an officer during the Revolutionary War, serving as an aide-de-camp to General Henry Knox, and after the war, was the first United States Consul to China and sailed on Empress of China, the first American ship, inaugurating the China trade.

The sale included other Chinese export porcelain, early Massachusetts and Connecticut furniture, early brass, historical blue Staffordshire, early clocks, and more.

A complete report on the auction will follow.