A Rare Chelsea Apple Box and Cover, Circa 1755

This charming form can be easily regarded as one of the most successful, and seemingly popular, porcelain models made at the Chelsea factory based on the number of surviving examples, eight of which have sold at Sotheby's since 1961, including:

- one from the Rous Lench Collection, sold at Sotheby's, London, July 1, 1986, lot 211, illustrated in R. J. Charleston and Donald Towner, English Ceramics 1580-1830: A Commemorative Catalogue to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the English Ceramic Circle 1927-1977, London, 1977 no. 123; 

- one from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Saul P. Steinberg, Sotheby's New York, May 26, 2000, lot 18;

and two were in the Collection of the Late Honorable C. Douglas Dillon, sold, Sotheby's New York, April 7, 2004, lots 20-21.

Apple tureens or boxes are mentioned in the 15th day of the 1755 Sale of the Chelsea manufactory's stock, on Wednesday, March 26th, lot 46c: "Four fine large apples and leaves for desart" The facsimile reproduction of this catalogue is included in the Appendix of John C. Austin, Chelsea Porcelain at Williamsburg, Williamsburg 1977

No further examples of this form appear to have come to the auction market since the present example last sold in 2010.