Turkish woman

Date1752-1758

Artist/Maker Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory (1745-1769)

MediumSoft-paste porcelain

DimensionsH: 6 1/4"; W: 2 15/16"; D: 2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1962-35

DescriptionFigure of a woman in Turkish dress lifting a black head-dress with her right hand, her left grasping a corner of a long yellow and gold jacket, exposing green lining and purple pantaloons; blue sash, purple sleeves, and red slippers in overglaze enamels. Tree trunk at rear. Standing on a round base with yellow, blue and green applied flowers.

Red anchor period.
Label TextFigures of Turkish men and women or of actors in Turkish costumes were popular in England as well as on the Continent. This one was derived from a Meissen prototype. Turkish figures are listed in both the 1755 and 1756 catalogs. In one instance in the latter, they are described as "A fine group of theatrical figures in Turkish dresses." Although William Duesbury recorded pairs of Turks and pairs of Turkish ladies as having been painted in his London decorating studio, he may have been referring to Staffordshire salt-glaze examples, some of which survive with enamel painting attributed to him.
InscribedRed anchor painted on the back of the base.
MarkingsNone
ProvenanceEx coll: M.G. Kaufman, Chicago