What is a trompe-l’oeil Chelsea leaf dish?

Trompe-l’oeil leaf plates are shaped and painted to catch the eye, often in the form of leaves with fruit or flowers. They reflect the 18th-century taste for playful tableware that blends sculpture and serving. An “18th Century Chelsea Porcelain Trompe L’oeil Leaf Plate with Fruit” has been seen listed for €2,800, and similar leaf plates are listed in the same Chelsea search results, indicating the appeal of this form in the marketplace. Collectors look for sharp edges, clean lines of patterning, and convincing colour transitions. Damage is often seen at the thin edges and tips where the tips of the leaves split.