Dish

Date1752-1755

Artist/Maker Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory 1745-1769

MediumSoft-paste porcelain

DimensionsOH: 2 3/8"; OL: 10 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1976-272

DescriptionDessert dish of oval cruciform shape. Interior painted in enamel colors. Small flowers in shades of blue, yellow, and rose; apple painted in rust and yellow with green leaves and winged insect in interior. Exterior yellow ground decorated with flowers, fruits and insets in shades of blue, rose, red, and green. Gold gilt rim.

Red anchor period.Label TextYellow was the earliest ground color used at Chelsea. It precedes the blue ground by several years, and was probably made as early as the raised anchor period. Several red anchor examples having yellow ground survive; their botanical decoration is in shaped reserves. This piece is unusual because the yellow ground is on the exterior and has no reserves, while most of the decoration is on the interior. The yellow ground kidney-shaped dishes of the red anchor period are probably the "half round compotiers yellow ground" listed three times in the 1755 catalog. The only other yellow ground in the catalog is "Four fine double leaf dishes with flowers and yellow ground, for desart," followed by "Four deep compotiers ditto." There are no objects with yellow ground listed in the 1756 sale.Inscription(s)NoMark(s)NoneProvenanceEx. Coll: Dr. and Mrs. Statham, Bournemouth, England, Tilley & Co., London