An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Hen and Chicks Covered Tureen on Standc. 1755
The ceramic factory at Chelsea, located along the river Thames in western London, was Britain’s most renowned factory of decorative porcelain in the mid-1700s. Large tureens in the form of chickens or rabbits appealed to wealthy aristocrats, who took great care in developing specimen animal and poultry breeds on their country estates. The design for this particular tureen was taken from a popular seventeenth-century print by Francis Barlow depicting a farmyard.
Though the form of a soup tureen suggests a functional role at the dining table, such large, expensive porcelains were probably only used for decoration because hot liquids might have easily caused them to crack.
soft-paste porcelain
Overall: 24.8 x 34.9 x 25.7 cm (9 3/4 x 13 3/4 x 10 1/8 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
In the heart of western London, along the meandering flow of the river Thames, stood the illustrious Chelsea ceramic factory. It was the mid-1700s, a time when decorative porcelain became synonymous with British elegance, and Chelsea was at the forefront of this artistic movement.
Picture bustling artisans, their hands deftly shaping clay, breathing life into exquisite works of art. Among their creations, intricate large tureens caught the eye of the wealthiest aristocrats—masterpieces crafted in the delightful forms of chickens and rabbits. These aristocrats, who lavished great care on their sprawling country estates, were proud of their prized specimen breeds, each a symbol of their affluence and sophisticated taste.
One tureen, a particularly splendid example, drew inspiration from a beloved seventeenth-century print. Created by the talented Francis Barlow, the print whisked viewers away to a lively farmyard, where chicken and rabbit frolicked in a landscape alive with pastoral charm. This rich tapestry of rural life became a jumping-off point for the artisans of Chelsea, who transformed Barlow's vision into porcelain that would grace the tables of the upper crust.
As we gaze upon this work, it is easy to imagine the shimmering elegance of the dining rooms it once adorned, filled with laughter and conversation. Each piece tells a story that echoes through time, capturing the spirit of an era that celebrated the beauty of nature and the artistry of human hands. In this way, the Chelsea ceramic factory does not merely produce decorative items but weaves together the threads of history, society, and art into an enduring legacy of inspiration.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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