Set of Chelsea Seals

Extremely rare set of Chelsea porcelain seals. 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. Its wares were aimed at a luxury market, and its site in Chelsea, London, was close to the fashionable Ranelagh Gardens pleasure ground, opened in 1742.

Chelsea was known for its figures, initially mostly single standing figures of the Cries of London and other subjects. Many of these were very small by European standards, from about 21⁄2 to 31⁄2 inches (6 to 9 cm) high, overlapping with the category of “Chelsea Toys”, for which the factory was famous in the 1750s and 1760s. These were very small pieces which often had metal mounts and were functional as small seals, many with inscriptions in French, almost invariably amorous suggestions, but often misspelled. The set comprises Cupid preparing an arrow, with the inscription “Je le tendray pour vous” (I will keep it for you), a cherub sharpening a knife on a whetstone, a chicken with three chicks with the inscription “Aimons nos petits”, an angel sitting on a chimney, and an angel drinking from a wineskin, inscribed “L’Argent Fait Tout” (Money is everything)