Plate (one of a pair)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite plate, one of a pair produced in Tournai, Belgium, around 1762–75, exemplifies the height of 18th-century European porcelain. Crafted from soft-paste porcelain—a delicate, translucent material prized for its creamy glow and fine detail—the 9¼-inch diameter dish features charming motifs of birds perched among trees. These naturalistic designs reflect the rococo taste for whimsical, nature-inspired decoration, blending European elegance with subtle chinoiserie influences popular at the time. Tai's porcelain factory, established in the 1750s, was a key player in Europe's race to r...