Pair of Mid 18th Century Chelsea Derby Bocage Figurines

Description

An incredible pair of English Chelsea Derby bocage figurines, circa 1760's. The male figure plays a flute, while a dog … more An incredible pair of English Chelsea Derby bocage figurines, circa 1760's. The male figure plays a flute, while a dog sits at his feet. The female collects flowers in her apron, with a lamb at her feet.

Chelsea porcelain is the porcelain made by the Chelsea porcelain manufactory, the first important porcelain manufactory in England, established around 1743–45, and operating independently until 1770, when it was merged with Derby porcelain. It made soft-paste porcelain throughout its history, though there were several changes in the "body" material and glaze used.

"Bocage" refers to a decorative element of trees and leaves. English and continental porcelain figures of the eighteenth century often had trees and leaves, both as an ornamental and colorful backdrop to figures and importantly as an added stabilizer to support the figures during kiln firing. less