Saucer

Date1759-1769

Artist/Maker Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory (1745-1769)

MediumSoft-paste porcelain

DimensionsDIAM: 5" OH: 7/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1976-46,1B

DescriptionSoft-paste porcelain saucer with trimmed foot. The central white medallion has a cluster of red fruits. A feather or scale relief decoration radiates from the center, covering about two-thirds of the saucer. The pattern is overglaze painted with blue, pink, and purple enamels. Gilt highlights were also applied to each scale or feather. There are three hand painted birds surrounded by branches, spaced evenly around the saucer. The rim and center medallion are outlined with gilding.
Label TextThe exotic bird decoration on these cups and saucers is less important than the brightly enameled scales that resemble peacock feathers. The feather motif is made more effective on the cups because each brightly colored scale is also molded in relief. The combination of exotic birds and peacock feathers is recorded on plates whose rim decoration is formed by the feathers. Peacock feather decoration used without the birds appears very successfully on a recorded covered broth bowl and stand.
InscribedNone
MarkingsAnchor painted in gold on reverse
ProvenanceEx. Coll: Lady Corah, Leicester and Sevenoaks, Kent, Sotheby & Co., July 20, 1971
Purchased from: Christies on February 23, 1976
Purchased from: Tilley & Co., London