Ceramics depicting royal figures found great popularity in England and the American colonies during the second half of the 17th century. While some were intended for daily use, others, such as this dish featuring King William III, were meant for decorative display.

English monarchs ruled their American colonial subjects according to charters granted to individual colonies and through colonial governors, most of whom were appointed by the monarch. Elected colonial assemblies introduced an element of self-government and later gave voice to the growing tensions that led to the revolution.