Soup plate, 9 inches diameter. Blue transfer with gilding. Printed and impressed maker's marks for W. T. Copeland & sons. The printed mark was used between 1882 and 1894, especially for earthenware exported to the United States. Part of the "Cairo" series, this pattern features the Copeland "Arabesque" border and Japanesque motifs in the center. The largest motif consists of a Japanese horizontal scroll with an Egyptian scene on the front and a geometric diamond pattern on the back. In the distance, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the pyramid of Khafre behind it, and the three Queens' Pyramids are pictures. In the middle ground are figures walking and riding camels, and in the foreground, the Nile is pictured with reeds, waterlilies, a branch of prunus blossoms, and a palm tree. The scroll cartouche is laid over a circular cartouche filled with geometric and stylized-floral designs and a cluster of flowers and grasses. Three butterflies flit around the edges.

W. T. Copeland was the only son of William Copeland, partner of Josiah Spode in the Stoke Potteries, of Staffordshire and of Portugal Street, London. He succeeded his father as head of the porcelain firm in Portugal Street, London and eventually bought out the interests of the Spode family in the business in the Potteries and London. He ran the business in partnership with Thomas Garrett between 1833 and 1847. After the dissolution of the Copeland and Garrett partnership, it traded as W.T. Copeland and Sons. (1847-1976). In 1866 Copeland was appointed china and glass manufacturer to the Prince of Wales.