Plate c. 1765 - 1770

This plate was made by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company in England. It's decorated with a Chinoiserie design in underglaze blue. Chinoiserie, a decorative style in Western art, reflects Chinese artistic influence. It became fashionable in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries, driven by increased trade with the East. Porcelain itself was highly sought after. European manufacturers like Worcester sought to replicate its delicate beauty. The blue-and-white color scheme references Chinese porcelain traditions. But the motifs, like the stylized leaves and insects, are Western interpretations. The Worcester Royal Porcelain Company catered to aristocratic tastes, and this plate speaks to the era's fascination with the exotic and the elite's consumption of luxury goods. To understand this plate better, consider the economic history of trade between Britain and China, the social history of collecting, and the institutional history of the Worcester factory itself. The plate reminds us that art is not just about aesthetics, but also about cultural exchange, social status, and economic power.