Clearly influenced by Meissen painting, the large colourful bouquet is comprised of a rose, iris and anemone, whilst included amongst the scattered floral sprays are morning glory, a member of the convolvulus family, and heartsease, or viola tricolor.

Interestingly, the interior of the bowl is decorated with a detailed painting of a flowering crocus bulb. This is a very different style of painting to that of the Deutsche Blumen on the exterior. Indeed, the crocuses are painted in an accurate botanical style similar to that of the well-known 'Hans Sloane' style of flower painting seen on Chelsea of this period. 'Hans Sloane' decoration, in which flowers and leaves are painted in a naturalistic manner, appears to copy botanical prints, such as those by the great botanical illustrator Georg Dionysius Ehret (1708-70), and is derived from Klinger designs on Meissen of the 1740s.

The base bears a small painted red anchor mark.

Chelsea porcelain was aimed primarily at a wealthy market, and the factory was greatly patronised by the aristocracy of the middle years of the 18th century.

Condition: No chips or restoration, just a faint Y-shaped crack to the base. The flower painting is incredibly detailed, and there is only slight wear to the interior and chocolate line rim, from use. A small area of kiln spit, typical of this period, can be seen around the footrim. Chelsea fired their wares on 'stilts', and evidence of these three kiln supports can be seen in the pooled glaze on the underside of the base.

This bowl would make a handsome addition to any collection of early English porcelain.

Dimensions: Diameter 5 7/8" (14.9cm); Height 3 1/8" (8cm)

Chelsea Porcelain, Elizabeth Adams (Barrie & Jenkins, 1987).

Chelsea Porcelain at Williamsburg, John C. Austin (Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 1977).