Stand 1760 - 1770

This plate was made around 1770 at the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory, using a refined white clay called soft-paste porcelain. Notice how the delicate material has been skillfully formed and fired, then painted with colorful enamels and gilded with gold. The vibrant decoration is really the point here. Exotic birds are set against a dark blue ground and gilded foliage, while insects and fruit appear in the center. The style evokes the natural world, but in a highly stylized way. The Chelsea factory was known for this kind of luxury product, made for a wealthy clientele eager to display their refined taste. Consider the division of labor involved in making this plate. Some artisans would have specialized in forming the clay, others in painting the designs, and still others in gilding. The finished product is a testament to the skill and artistry of these anonymous workers, and to the economic system that supported their craft.