Chelsea Artichoke Tureen and Cover, Circa 1754-56

A very rare Large Chelsea Artichoke Tureen and Cover, of natural bulbous form naturalistically moulded as a closed segmented Globe Artichoke, decorated in tones of green and yellow with puce detailing, the similarly moulded domed cover with ‘Tom Tit’ finial, the bird pecking the vegetable, with its head on one side.

These extremely rare forms are listed twice within the Chelsea Porcelain Sales held by Mr. Ford. Firstly, ‘Two fine artichokes, second size’ lot 47 on the first day, Monday 10 March 1755. Secondly and appertaining to this rarer and larger size, ‘Two large artichokes and leaves’, Tuesday, 30th March 1756, lot 81. The leaves that originally accompanied this larger size have never been identified. The delicate shading of the veining of the segmented leaves in puce beautifully captures the ripeness of the vegetable and the conceit of the ‘Tom Tit’ pecking at the heart confirms this, and adds to the aesthetic success of the naturalism, as well as allowing the covers to lifted ingeniously. A large pair illustrated by Patrick Synge-Hutchinson, The Connoisseur, August 1954, ‘Some Chelsea Porcelain In the Collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother at Clarence House’. Also Reginald Blunt, The Cheyne Book of Chelsea China, pl.15 no. 305.