Plate 1765 - 1775

This plate was produced by the Chantilly manufactory in France, though its date is uncertain. As a historian, what strikes me is its self-conscious engagement with global trade. The delicate floral pattern imitates the prized porcelain wares of China and Japan, which were arriving in Europe in ever-greater quantities, influencing artists and consumers alike. Chantilly, of course, was one of many European manufacturers trying to break into this lucrative market by replicating the aesthetic qualities of Asian porcelain. The plate thus embodies complex cultural and economic dynamics: competition between European manufacturers, the influence of Asian aesthetics, and the growth of international trade. Understanding this object fully requires us to consider its place within these overlapping histories, using sources such as trade records and design folios, which reveal a globalized world taking shape.