Plate c. 1770

This plate was produced by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company using a transfer-printed and hand-painted technique on porcelain. The sinuous lines and watery motifs take inspiration from the aesthetics of Japanese Imari ware, which was very popular in Europe at the time. But don't be fooled by the plate's delicate appearance. It was in fact conceived within a system of factory production, with different workers responsible for each stage. The form would have been shaped using molds, and the decoration applied using transfer printing, a technique which allowed for the mass production of intricate designs. Then, skilled artisans hand-painted details such as the gold trim, adding a touch of individuality. While the design looks to the aesthetics of handcraft, the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company was actually demonstrating Britain's industrial prowess. By combining mechanization and hand-applied decoration, they were able to produce beautiful and affordable wares for a growing middle class with a taste for the exotic. So, this plate embodies a fascinating collision of cultures, craft traditions, and the forces of industrialization.