A Dutch silver vegetable dish, Johannes Schiotling, Amsterdam, 1765

shaped square, engraved with the arms of the Hope family within a cartouche

Engraved with the arms of Hope of Craighall, probably for Henry Hope (the younger), also used as the logo of Hope & Co, the Dutch bank of Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Archibald Hope alongside his eldest son Archibald Jr. played an important part in trade in Rotterdam around 1720. With roots in Scotland, the family had become involved in Dutch shipping, storage and credit until a huge economic crash destroyed much of their competition, their diversity of industry proving their saviour. From thence onwards the company blossomed with various members of the Hope family contributing to its expansion into an institution at the centre of international trade, and arranging loans to the governments of Sweden, Russia, Portugal and Bavaria in the aftermath of the Seven Year's War.

In exchange for loans to the King of Portugal, Hope & Co received a exclusive concessions to sell diamonds originating in Brazil, which were used to defray the interest and principal of Portuguese loans, firmly establishing Amsterdam as the centre of the European diamond trade. The fabled Hope diamond, housed in the Smithsonian Museum of National History in Washington, was named after the family due its ownership by various descendants of the founders after its appearance sometime after its theft from a Parisian bank in 1792. 

Henry Hope (the younger), whose great uncle Archibald had founded the company, was born in Boston in 1735 and moved to the Netherlands with his sister in Harriet in 1762. With his arrival alongside his cousin Jan, the company switched from 'Hope Brothers' to 'Hope & Co', highlighting the family additions to the company. It was at this point in the 1770's when Henry became manager that Hope & Co. played a major part in the finance of The East India Company. With this his wealth and status grew; he forged a superb art collection, he had a excellent rapport with Catherine the Great, while the fourth edition of 'The Wealth of Nations', by Adam Smith in 1786 was dedicated in his name to increase its readership, in which he was described as "so well known in Europe, the information which comes from him must do so much honour to whoever has been favoured with it, and my vanity is so much interested in making this acknowledgement, that I can no longer refuse myself the pleasure of prefixing this advertisement to this new edition of my book". 

overall good condition but with scratches, and wear commensurate with age and use, armorials nice and crisp, marks good.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."