A very fine example of Chinese export porcelain made for the early American republic, this beautiful soup plate is centered with a sepia image of HOPE and her anchor above a banner supported by palm fronds reading SPERO, the top of the rim centered with a gilded monogram of EHD for Elias Haskett Derby, one of the wealthiest and most prominent merchant traders of Salem, and, all of New England. This soup plate was part of the 272 piece service brought back by Derby from his maiden voyage to China in 1785-1786 aboard the ship the Grand Turk.  Measuring 9″ in diameter and in very good condition. Examples to be found in the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem.