Soup Plate

Date1752-1758

Artist/Maker Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory (1745-1769)

MediumPorcelain, soft-paste

DimensionsH: 1 7/8"; Diam (side to side): 8 1/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1962-75

DescriptionDeep, octagonal rimmed soup plate with flanged edge. Center with Kakiemon-style scene, "Hob in the Well" or "Story of Sima Guang" extending onto cavetto. Small child in a large blue and red jar with attending older figure in red and gold robes, beneath a bamboo tree with flowering plants. Another figure in green tunic and red trousers gesticulates in the background. Rim with intertwining series of chrysanthemums, peonies, and abstract foliage. Overglaze polychrome enamels with gilt details. Matte, warm grey glaze over white-buff body, which is thick and heavy but not coarsely potted.
Label TextThe name Hob in the Well was given to this pattern when the Chelsea factory first reproduced it. The name probably came from a farce entitled Flora, or Hob in the Well, which was popular at that time. It is listed several times in the 1755 sale catalog, appearing at least once on soup plates of this shape. Although the pattern occurs on Meissen porcelain, the Chelsea example is very much like the Japanese original in shape and decoration. The pattern does not appear to have a Chinese source in spite of the fact that the scene depicts a Chinese tale. The story tells of the great Sung period statesman, Sze-Ma Kwang, who as a child saved the life of a friend by breaking the large water jar into which the friend had fallen. The Japanese name for this hero is Shiba Onko.
InscribedNo
MarkingsNo
ProvenanceEx coll: M.G. Kaufman, Chicago

Exhibition(s)