Derby Soft Paste Porcelain Figural Group 'Sight' circa 1752-55
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A rare Derby soft paste porcelain figural group, representing 'Sight', from the set of the 'Five chinoiserie Senses', probably modelled by Agostino Carlini, the two enamelled figures seated on a rocky outcrop, the woman with raised arm, the other supporting a parrot, the man holding a flask, circa 1752-55. Height 20.5 cm. Label to base National Gallery of Victoria/ ceramics and glass circle of Australia/ Tenth Anniversary exhibition 1994. Provenance: The Robin Barkla collection
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- Soft Paste Porcelain - Porcelain is an ancient ceramic material, first made in China, hence the common name "china", and the process was unknown in the West.
European potters attempted to replicate Chinese porcelain, without knowing the ingredients in its composition, and the earliest wares were produced with mixtures of clay and ground-up glass (frit), the idea being that the glass would give the porcelain translucency.
It was given the name "soft" because it did not remain rigid, but "slumped" when fired in the kiln at high temperatures. - Chinoiserie - Furniture and decorative items decorated in imitation of a Western interpretation of the Chinese style. The Chinoiserie style first became popular in the late 17th century, though there were frequent revivals, notably by Chippendale (hence 'Chinese Chippendale') during the Regency period, and the Anglo-Japanese style in the second half of the 19th century.
The ubiquitous 'willow pattern' is the most common 'Chinese' theme used in porcelain, while on furniture the Chinoiserie style usually has black or red painted and lacquered decoration, though the hallmark of the furniture style is the use of fretwork in geometrical patterns, pagodas and other decorative forms.
Japonaiseries, as the name implies, are motifs in imitation of the Japanese taste.
See also "Chinese Chippendale". - Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
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