Nature, Porcelain and Enlightenment: The Birds and Creatures of Chelsea and Worcester Porcelain

Paul Crane, FSA, Consultant Brian Haughton Gallery
George Edwards and his enlightenment publication of ‘A Natural History of Uncommon Birds’ was published between the years of 1743 and 1751 and in four volumes. His incredibly illustrated four volumes were used as inspiration by artist enamelers and model makers at both the Worcester Manufactory during the First Period Dr Wall period and also at the Chelsea Porcelain manufactory in London. The decorative objects from the manufactories are some of the most elegant and colourful porcelain of this period and are highly collected still. These objects were made primarily for the aristocracy and the mercantile classes who adorned their homes and china rooms with this organic life force of models. Each bird tells a particular story as Edwards tells us where he was able to procure the specimen from and its natural habits. I am able to show the illustrations taken directly from his publication together with the porcelain wares and models, most of which are in National collections but some from Private English Collectors.