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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Chelsea porcelain
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The earliest English *porcelain, made in *Chelsea from at least 1745 (the year of the first clearly dated pieces). The success of the factory was due to Nicholas Sprimont (1716–71), by trade a silversmith. He produced both tableware and ornamental figures, relying heavily on existing continental models (at first *Meissen, later *Sèvres). The factory was also known for the so-called 'Chelsea toys', miniature pieces such as scent bottles. Chelsea porcelain is dated in a succession of periods, identifiable by marks on the base: a triangle (up to 1750), raised anchor (1750–2), red anchor (1752–6) and gold anchor (after 1756). In 1770 the firm was bought by the *Derby factory. The wares of the two factories were marketed together until the Chelsea site was closed down in 1784, the years 1770–84 being known as the Chelsea-Derby period.
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