Plate with tiger and bamboo 1750 - 1760

This is a porcelain plate, made around the mid-18th century by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory, decorated with a tiger and bamboo design. Notice how the octagonal form of the plate establishes a geometric structure. The red floral border creates a frame, drawing our attention to the central motif. Within this space, the tiger and bamboo are rendered with soft, flowing lines and a muted color palette. The arrangement isn't symmetrical. The eye is drawn across the plate by the positioning of the tiger, bamboo, and floral arrangements. The composition of the image flattens the picture plane. The colors and shapes create a complex interplay between decoration and representation. It operates within a visual language that seeks not just to depict, but to ornament and engage the viewer in a dialogue between form and function.