Plate 1752 - 1756

This porcelain plate was produced at the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory in England between 1744 and 1784. Plates such as this reflect a period in which elite European culture, particularly in England and France, embraced luxury and elaborate design. The flowers are of particular interest. During this period, botany was emerging as a field of scientific study, fueled by colonial expansion and increased contact with the wider world. Botanical illustration was popular, and the careful renderings of flowers on this plate reflect that trend. The Rococo style, with its emphasis on asymmetry and naturalistic motifs, is evident in the swirling forms of the plate's border. By studying the production and consumption of decorative objects like this plate, we can learn a great deal about the social values and economic structures of 18th-century England. Researching the factory's records, design patterns, and the clientele who purchased these wares offers deeper insights into the cultural context in which this plate was made.