Plate (one of three) 1755 - 1760

This delicately painted porcelain plate was produced in the mid-18th century by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory in London. The factory emerged during a period of intense artistic and economic rivalry among European nations, each vying to produce luxury goods that would symbolize their wealth and sophistication. These plates, adorned with scattered bouquets, were not merely functional objects but emblems of status, reflecting the consumer culture taking root among the British elite. While these objects provided a sense of refinement to their owners, they were also the products of global trade networks and colonial exploitation. The porcelain itself, the pigments used for decoration, and the labor required for production all had roots in complex socio-economic systems that touched lives across continents. Consider how an object like this can be both beautiful and also a signifier of a complex and sometimes brutal history. These plates are silent witnesses to the intertwined histories of art, power, and identity.