Chinese musicians

Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory|Joseph Willems

ca. 1755 · Soft-paste porcelain · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

This group of Chinese musicians reflects the continued popularity of chinoiserie, the depiction of fanciful figures and landscapes from an imagined and exotic East. The large scale of the figures, the complexity of their poses, and the high quality of the painted decoration make this group one of the most significant and ambitious pieces of English 18th century porcelain.

Artist

Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory|Joseph Willems

Date

ca. 1755

Medium

Soft-paste porcelain

Culture

British, Chelsea

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1964