Plate 1758 - 1768

This plate was made in England at the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory sometime between 1744 and 1784. The scene of an exotic bird surrounded by insects, butterflies, and flowers speaks to the fashion for natural history that defined elite culture in Europe during the Enlightenment. Porcelain itself was a luxury good, and its appeal was driven in part by the association with the courtly culture of China. The Chelsea factory was one of the first successful porcelain producers in England, and it catered to wealthy consumers eager to emulate aristocratic taste. The rococo style, with its emphasis on asymmetry and naturalistic ornament, was especially popular for porcelain. Factories like Chelsea were supported by royal patronage and protectionist trade policies, allowing them to flourish and shape the cultural landscape of the time. Understanding the history of decorative arts like this plate requires us to consult a wide range of sources from trade records to design books and museum collections.