Seal 1750 - 1770

This seal was made in the mid-18th century at the Chelsea Factory, out of soft-paste porcelain, with enamel and gilding. The figure, possibly Cupid, is sculpted and painted with delicate care. The material and manufacturing process would have been costly. Soft-paste porcelain was developed in Europe to mimic true hard-paste porcelain from China, which was highly sought after, but difficult to produce, requiring specialized kilns. Notice the smooth, glass-like surface made possible by the high firing temperature, along with the hand-painted details. Such an object was thus the preserve of the wealthy. The labor involved in making such a delicate, precious item was highly skilled, reflecting the intense competition to reproduce luxury goods during the 18th century. The production of porcelain at this time, from the mining of the clay to its decoration, was an exercise in the command of materials, production and labor. By considering the intense effort required to make such an object, we can appreciate it not just for its beauty, but also for its historical and social significance, challenging distinctions between high art and craft.