Boy with goat 1760 - 1770

This porcelain scent bottle depicting a boy with a goat was produced by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory in England, sometime between 1744 and 1784. The Rococo style which saw its height in Europe in the 18th century embraced light-hearted, playful themes as seen in this object. At this time, porcelain was a luxury good, especially prized in Europe where the ingredients to make it remained a mystery until the early 18th century. As a result, it was collected and displayed by the wealthy. This piece is a scent bottle, also speaking to the concerns of cleanliness and hygiene during the period. Objects like this tell us about the collecting habits of elites in 18th century England, the global trade in luxury goods, and the emergence of English manufacturers imitating wares made in China and continental Europe. The records of the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory and auction catalogs provide information about how such objects were originally bought and sold.