Dish c. 1750

This elegant dish was crafted around the 1760s by the Chelsea Factory. Observe how insects and flowers encircle the plate, each symbolizing profound concepts of transformation and the ephemeral nature of life. Consider the butterfly, prominently displayed. Its presence echoes through the ages, seen on ancient Greek pottery representing Psyche, the soul, and in Renaissance paintings as a symbol of resurrection. Yet, here on this dish, it’s grounded in the transience of beauty, a reminder of life's fleeting moments. The arrangement isn't just decorative. It evokes a powerful emotional response, prompting reflection on our own mortality and the cycles of nature. The Chelsea Factory has not merely decorated a dish, but composed a visual poem that transcends time. The non-linear trajectory of this symbol continues to resurface, eternally evolving with each epoch.