Chelsea Botanical Dessert Plate

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Georgian

Circa 1755 | England

An antique eighteenth century Chelsea botanical dessert plate boldly painted in the distinctive style of these exceptional and rare early plates. In this example we find cucumbers, asparagus, cherries and strawberries beautifully painted with a simple brown line border which runs around the edge of the plate. Arguably Chelsea botanical plates are some of the most attractive and desirable pieces of early English porcelain.

SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Painted small brown anchor mark (see The Gen), ground foot rim, stilt marks, and BADA sticker. When viewed against the light the plate shows the characteristic ‘moons’ found in Chelsea porcelain.

DIMENSIONS: Diameter 21.2 cm.

CONDITION: Excellent condition, wear consistent with an antique age and use. No evident restoration.

REFERENCES: For an example of a similar plate see The Illustrated Guide to British Porcelain, Geoffrey A. Godden, Barrie & Jenkins, 1980, p. 128 and Sotheby’s, October 2005, Lot 345. 

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THE GEN

“While there is no separate ‘brown-anchor’ period, it must be stated that the anchor device quite often appears painted in this colour on wares of the so-called red anchor period and even into the 1760s. This was probably nothing more than a matter of convenience, as the brush (termed a ‘pencil’ in the ceramic industry) was ready charged with this pigment, the liner having painted the border in this colour as the last decorating operation. It will be observed that the brown anchor normally only appears on flat-wares having the brown line-edge.” (The Illustrated Guide to British Porcelain, Geoffrey A. Godden, Barrie & Jenkins, 1980, p. 119)

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