A very handsome pair of Chinese export porcelain barbed rim 8″ plates with a central American eagle decoration based upon an early version of the Great Seal of the United States, all within a striking sawtooth border. Part of a rather impressive 416-piece service made for wealthy businessman John Jacob Ridgway of Philadelphia (1768-1843) who was American Consul to Antwerp, Belgium in the first years of the 19th century.  The service was most likely made for that diplomatic sojourn. Very good condition, circa 1800.