Hope service

Large oval meat dish from an extensive dinner service. Underglaze blue border with intricate gilding in a Classical style including patterae, dots and stars. Central monochrome panel painted with a woman holding an anchor, representing Hope. This service of over 260 pieces was made for the Duke of Clarence (later William IV) who used it at his home, Bushey Park. The service, which cost the Duke 800 guineas, was displayed to the public at Flight’s factory before despatch in April 1791. The central panels of Hope holding an anchor, in a great variety of poses were painted by John Pennington.