Plate decorated with Japanese Kakiemon-inspired scene with twisted dragon 1747 - 1757

This plate, made around 1760 at the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory, features a Japanese Kakiemon-inspired scene with a twisted dragon. Porcelain is a uniquely challenging material. It demands high-temperature firing and precise control of the kiln atmosphere. Achieving this level of expertise was a major goal for European manufacturers in the 18th century, as they sought to emulate the coveted porcelains of East Asia. The decoration on this plate is particularly interesting. It shows a direct engagement with Japanese aesthetics, filtered through a European sensibility. The dragon, rendered in iron-red pigment, climbs a bamboo stalk, while stylized flowers and a playful lion-dog complete the composition. The twisted, molded rim of the plate adds another layer of artifice. This plate represents the global exchange of materials and ideas, but also the intense competition and labor involved in porcelain production during the 18th century. It reminds us that even seemingly delicate objects can be powerful documents of social and economic history.