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Chelsea Porcelain

Chelsea porcelain refers to the soft-paste ceramics made in Chelsea, London from the mid-to-late 18^th century. The original factory is believed to have been founded by Charles Gouyn and the silversmith Nicolas Sprimont, although few documents survive relating to its early history.

The items produced at Chelsea include tablewares such as cups, plates, sauce-boats and coffee pots, as well as figures, vases and scent bottles, and they have marks identifying the period of manufacture such as the triangle period (1743-49/50), the raised anchor period (1750-52), the red anchor period (1752-56) and the gold anchor period (1758-70).

The factory and kilns were later acquired by William Duesbury of Derby who kept production going until 1784 when the workshops were closed and the many moulds were either destroyed or removed to Derby.

Zoffany drawing and Chelsea mug shine in London Art Week

08 July 2019

A black and white chalk on paper drawing of Jupiter and Antiope by Johan Zoffany (1733-1810) was among the highlight sales during London Art Week (LAW).

Kent design decorates Chelsea vases at Albert Amor

03 June 2019

A pair of large c.1760 Chelsea ovoid vases made after a drawing by English architect and furniture designer William Kent (1685-1748), is on offer at Albert Amor this month.

Early Chelsea porcelain continues to attract bidders

06 May 2019

A matched pair of Chelsea mugs cropped up in an Andrew Smith’s (21% buyer’s premium) sale in Hampshire.

Estate provides Chelsea candlesticks to Stair Galleries in New York

19 April 2019

English and Continental porcelain from several notable estates is included in Stair Galleries’ next fine sale in Hudson, New York, on April 27-28.

Spotting rare red Chelsea squirrels in Exeter

18 March 2019

Rare examples of early English porcelain are still capable of remarkable sums.

Polarised market for English ceramics highlighted by single-owner sales in Exeter and Derby

19 March 2018

Collecting traditional English ceramics is still a popular pursuit on both sides of the Atlantic – but one where purchases are always tailored to fit the purse strings of the core collecting audience.

Joyce Paretti collection of perfume bottles produces sweet-smelling results

19 March 2018

Multi-estimate results greeted the Joyce Paretti collection of perfume bottles sold by John Nicholson’s (24% buyer’s premium) of Fernhurst in two instalments before and after the new year.

Porcelain from Hugh Marsham Townshend collection

Sworders to offer ‘toys’ from Hugh Marsham Townshend collection

24 August 2016

When in the middle of the century Suffolk collector Hugh Marsham Townshend (1878-1967) was amassing a collection of gold-mounted porcelain scent bottles and other trinkets, most were thought to be the products of the Chelsea porcelain works or a shadowy enterprise known as the ‘Girl in a Swing’ factory.

Gladiator Trojan is now an English porcelain dealer

02 April 2015

Like many an antiques dealer, Mark Griffin of Arbatel Antiques lives something of a double life.

15-03-10-2182NE01A Chelsea porcelain.jpg

£37,000 clue to another side of Chelsea

10 March 2015

A Chelsea porcelain beaker with blue and white botanical decoration caused a sensation at Peter Wilson latest sale in Nantwich. Estimated at £100-200, it sold at £37,000.

And then there were two…

02 April 2012

A REMARKABLE Chelsea porcelain bust with the potential to establish a new record for English porcelain will be offered for sale by Bonhams on April 18.

Rare Chelsea saucer taken to £16,000

12 September 2011

SOME fine early English porcelain came up at the latest sale held by Chorley's of Prinknash Abbey, Gloucestershire.

The earliest of English sauceboats

08 September 2009

KNUTSFORD, Cheshire auctioneers Frank Marshall sold this remarkable pair of Chelsea Blue Triangle period sauceboats c.1745-49 for a house record £41,000 on September 8.

Dealer’s eye brings profit with £7800 cup

13 August 2007

It was catalogued as Bow c.1760 but this English porcelain coffee cup seen at Bamfords of Derby on July 25 was identified as belonging to a much rarer class of porcelain associated with Charles Gouyn and a short-lived London concern in St James’s.

Ashmolean secures historic Chelsea collection

10 April 2007

After a year-long fund-raising effort, The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford has just secured the future of its most impressive Chelsea porcelain exhibit.

Chelsea wares bear fruit

18 August 2004

THE most sought-after and best-performing English factory amongst the more select gatherings of English wares at Sotheby’s Bond Street sale was undoubtedly Chelsea. The auctioneers had 16 lots to offer, mostly consigned from one collection and of the currently fashionable Red Anchor period botanical type either in their painted decoration or shape.

A year full of promise on the books front

18 February 2004

2004 is shaping up well for arts publishing, and publishers of books which cover the genre also reported excellent sales last year, particularly in the run-up to Christmas. Here, the Antiques Trade Gazette takes a look at some of the books on offer this year, many of which will be reviewed.

Chelsea fable painted part-tea service

22 March 2002

A series of strong bids brought a total of £51,900 for a Chelsea fable painted part-tea service at Lawrence’s of Crewkerne on March 14.

Auktionshaus Wiesbaden: Art, Antiques & Varia; 20 Sep 2019
Charterhouse Auctioneers: Clocks, Coins, Stamps, Militaria & Collectables; 20 Sep 2019 - 10:00 AM
Chaucer Auctions: Autographs, Stamps & Sports Autographs; 20 Sep 2019 - 10:00 AM
Cuttlestones Wolverhampton: Specialist Collectables; 20 Sep 2019 - 10:00 AM
Great Western Auctions: Fine Art & Antiques; 20 Sep 2019 - 10:00 AM
Hansons: Toys, Railwayana & Camera's; 20 Sep 2019 - 10:00 AM

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