Chelsea Red Anchor Porcelain Dish Mid-18th Century England 1752-1756

The wares of the Chelsea red anchor period (1752-1758), when this dish was made, are generally thought to be the finest work produced by the factory.* The charm of this Chelsea soft paste porcelain dish lies in the quality of the soft paste porcelain itself, the warm white glaze, and the soft colors of the fabulous hand-painted flowers and insects. The flowers and insects are painted in exquisite soft colors, which seem to sink into the soft paste porcelain. The painting is at the highest level of artistry. In the center, we see a loose bouquet of scattered flower sprigs, the largest sprig with a gorgeous purple rose, and a hairy caterpillar nearby. The border has crisp flowerhead and lattice molding reserving eight small panels painted with beautiful flowers and insects, one showing a butterfly and one a butterfly next to a ladybug. Along the rim, the dish has a brown line traditional to Chelsea. Begun in 1743, the Chelsea porcelain factory was England’s first important porcelain manufacturer. The factory made soft paste porcelain which is different than “true” hard paste porcelain and does not require the high firing temperatures or the unique mineral ingredients needed for “true” hard paste porcelain.                                                   Soft paste originated in the attempts by European potters to replicate hard paste Chinese porcelain. A dish decorated similar to ours and marked with the Chelsea red anchor is in the British Museum, accession number 1940,1101.70. Dimensions: 9.5″ wide (24cm) Condition: Excellent