Plate 1755 - 1765

This plate, now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was made by the Chantilly manufactory using soft-paste porcelain, a European innovation emulating fine Chinese porcelain. The plate's creation involved meticulous processes, from mixing the clay to shaping it on a wheel or in a mold, then firing at high temperatures. The delicate floral design was hand-painted onto the glazed surface with metallic oxides. Multiple firings were required. Notice the molded basket weave pattern around the rim of the plate. This texture contrasts beautifully with the smooth glazed surface, showcasing the potter's skill and attention to detail. Given the labor-intensive production of such wares, objects like these were certainly luxury items, indicative of wealth and status, and only affordable for a small percentage of the population. Considering this plate as a product of skilled labor and material expertise allows us to reflect on the social context and economic disparities of its time, reminding us of the many hands involved in creating objects we often take for granted.