John Brown, the legendary Providence, Rhode Island, merchant, is known to have owned two sets of Chinese export porcelain. One set arrived on the ship the George Washington in 1789 and was described as "best blue china for Dining Table" and "Tea Service China every piece with the sypher JB." Six years later, a second "sett of the better sort" arrived on the first voyage of another George Washington, the third ship that John Brown named for his friend. This platter is from this second set, and its style with urn and swags is like the wares that were being produced by the Bristol and New Hall porcelain manufacturies in England. Brown's mansion in Providence was one of the most lavish in the city, and this porcelain would have complemented the house and its sumptuous interiors.