Sauceboat c. 1755

This is a porcelain sauceboat, made by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company. It is decorated with a Chinoiserie pattern. The object and its decoration reflect the complex global networks of trade and taste in the eighteenth century. The Chinoiserie style borrows motifs from Chinese art; the scene depicted here of figures in a landscape with pagodas is based on the European fantasy of the ‘Orient’. The fashion for Chinese-style decoration in Britain emerged in the late 17th century, driven by increased trade with China through the East India Company. Porcelain was one of the most sought-after commodities. However, the European elite sought to replicate these wares at home, which led to the growth of companies such as the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company. The sauceboat speaks to the social importance of display and dining within Georgian society. Ceramics were an integral part of elite culture and their stylistic features reflected the owners' tastes and aspirations. Understanding this object requires archival research into trade networks, the history of the Worcester factory, and the social history of collecting. The meaning of art always depends on its social and institutional context.