Pair of 18th Century Chelsea Porcelain Octagonal Dishes With Vegetables

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A wonderfully whimsical pair of Chelsea porcelain octagonal dishes, hand-painted around 1758-60 with tumbling arrangements of vegetables and fruit — … Read more A wonderfully whimsical pair of Chelsea porcelain octagonal dishes, hand-painted around 1758-60 with tumbling arrangements of vegetables and fruit — carrots, turnips, mushrooms, a peach, cherries, and berries scattered across the crisp white porcelain like the morning’s market haul. One dish centers on a great pink-capped mushroom, the other on a peach among carrots, and every well is dotted with smaller sprigs and sprays that reward a closer look. A fine red-brown line traces each rim.

These deep octagonal dishes were made for serving sweetmeats and candied fruits at the fashionable dessert table, their playful naturalism inspired by the great Meissen factory. Chelsea was England’s first important porcelain maker, and each dish carries the factory’s rare brown anchor mark. The pair comes with a distinguished pedigree, too: the collection of Emil Mosbacher, Jr., and The Antique Porcelain Company of New Bond Street, London, whose original paper label one dish still retains.
Display them on open shelving or a sideboard where the painting can be seen, stand one on a plate rack among creamware and botanical prints, or press them into occasional service for candies and petits fours — they bring instant charm to a kitchen dresser, breakfast room, or collected English country interior. See less