Plate

Date1752-1758

Artist/Maker Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory (1745-1769)

MediumSoft-paste porcelain

DimensionsDia: 9 7/16"; H: 1 1/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1963-126

DescriptionCircular plate; wide rim divided into eight sections by brown-lined slightly lobed edge and raised radiating lines; four panels realistically painted with large European flowers, in yellow, reds, purple, and green; other panels molded in relief with floral sprays repeating relief wreath in center; central butterfly painted in orange, purple, yellow, and black. Reverse with raised footring.

Red anchor period.
Label TextThe shape of this plate and its decoration, including both the molded flowers in relief and the enamel painted flowers, were taken directly from Meissen examples. The Meissen pattern, designed by Eberlein, was called the "Gotzkowsky pattern" due to its early use on a service for a Berlin merchant of that name. Rare variations survive with Chinese figures or birds in place of a central flower or butterfly. The shadow cast by the butterfly imitates the ombrirte teutsche Blumen of Meissen. This type of raised flower decoration at Chelsea was called "damask'd" or "damaskworkt." It appears many times in the 1755 catalog, which listed oval dishes, soup plates, and table plates "damask'd with flowers,” and "damask'd soup plates enamell'd with 5 groupes of flowers."
InscribedAnchor painted red on reverse (Godden #868)
MarkingsNone
ProvenanceEx coll: Mrs. Robin Brooke, Cowden, Kent