Dish with Japanese court woman and birds 1745 - 1755

This elegant dish was made around 1760 by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory, likely using a mold to achieve its distinctive lobed form. The porcelain itself is a high-fired ceramic, made by combining kaolin clay with other minerals. The smooth, white surface of the dish provides a canvas for the painted decoration, depicting a Japanese court woman and birds, rendered in vibrant colors. The painting would have been done by a specialist decorator, working within a highly regimented division of labor. This kind of luxury item reflects the globalized economy of the 18th century, where European manufacturers sought to emulate and capitalize on the popularity of Asian ceramics. What is particularly interesting is the way that this object blends artistry and industry. While the decoration is hand-painted, giving each piece a unique quality, the underlying production process was increasingly mechanized and market-driven. By focusing on these aspects of material and making, we can see how objects like this participate in a much larger cultural and economic picture.