Parrot and rooster in a group 1750 - 1760

This porcelain figurine, made by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory, features a gathering of birds. A parrot and rooster are the main figures, posed with smaller birds perched nearby. The parrot, often linked with mimicry and exoticism, echoes through art history. Consider its presence in medieval bestiaries, where it symbolizes eloquence, or its place in Renaissance portraiture, where it signifies worldly knowledge. The rooster, a symbol of vigilance and pride, dates back to ancient Greece, where it was associated with bravery. These birds in porcelain form point to our enduring fascination with the natural world. The artist displays the parrot and rooster in a tableau, capturing the vibrancy of nature and the charm of human artifice. It serves as a reminder of the potent symbols that continue to speak to us across the ages.