Details

Name

Chelsea Porcelain Works

Brief Biography

1743-1770, English

Occupation

Potter

Description

French artisans, Charles Gouyan and Nichols Sprimont, established the Chelsea Porcelain Factory in London in 1743 and modelled their soft-paste porcelain wares upon the exceptional pieces produced by Sèvres and Meissen. Employing highly skilled craftsmen, the pair manufactured some of the best examples of English porcelain and catered exclusively to the local luxury market. Their wares are now divided into four periods that are defined by changes to the porcelain marks. These are the 'triangle' period from 1743 to 1750; the 'raised anchor' period from 1750 to 1756; the 'red anchor' period from 1753 to 1758 (it overlapped the previous period by three years); and the 'gold anchor' from 1758 to 1769. Sprimont sold the Chelsea business to Derby in 1770, and the two enterprises operated under the combined name, 'Chelsea-Derby Porcelain Works', until 1784.