A very attractive pair of Chinese export porcelain soup plates made for the American market, decorated in Famille Rose enamels with an elegant Chinese landscape within a gilded spearhead border, the rim encircled with images of the Eight Immortals and centered at the top with a gilded monogram for DeWitt and Maria Clinton of New York.  In addition to this being one of the most decoratively beautiful services made for the American market, it was ordered for one of the most remarkable statesmen of the New Republic as DeWitt Clinton, as Governor of New York, was one of the driving forces in the building of the Erie Canal which made New York city into the financial powerhouse that it remains to this day.  He had also served in the New York State, was Mayor of New York, and at time ran for President. Both his father and uncle served in the Revolution.  Illustrated and discussed in New York and the China Trade, page 77.  Measuring 9″ across, in very good condition and dating to circa 1805.