JVV 0303
Makkum, dated 1792
Tichelaar pottery
Painter: Gatse Sytses
The rectangular brazier has a rounded bottom, a profiled upper rim and stands on three short feet. A handle is attached to one of the corners of the square top, which is painted on each side with four double flowers and insects. Below that, three double flowers and insects are painted on the rounded bottom. The date 'Ao: 1792' is applied between the feet. The handle is decorated with stripes, the feet with arrow-shaped motifs.
Dimensions: length 15 cm, / 5.90 in., width 12,5 cm / 4.92 in., height 9,3 cm / 3.66 in.
Similar examples
For comparable Makkum braziers, see Van den Akker (p. 167, nos. 0212108 and 0212109) and Tichelaar (p. 135, fig. 119). Other objects with floral decorations by Gatse Sytses can also be found in Van den Akker (p. 178, no. 0221106, p. 283, nos. 0271801, 0271851, p. 288, no. 0273101) and Tichelaar (p. 135, fig. 121, p.142, fig. 132, p.143, fig. 133-135, p.146, fig. 140, p.149, fig. 147b).
Explanatory note
The shape of the brazier is derived from red-fired lead-glazed pottery and was already used at the beginning of the seventeenth century. In faience, the brazier was particularly popular in Friesland and was one of the most commonly produced objects in the Frisian potteries during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
From records of the Tichelaar pottery we know that Gatse Sytses worked there as a painter between 1744 and 1796. From 1763 onwards he was for thirty-three years first painter and foreman of the company. He painted the most important pieces like plates, chargers, plaques and other shapes, tile pictures and biblical tiles with scriptural references. Gatse Sytses never signed his pieces, but his style is so distinctive and therefore very easy to recognise.
Literature
M. van den Akker, Fries aardewerk. Majolica - faience - kerfsnee. Harlinger aardewerk museum. Collectie Minze van den Akker, Harlingen 2007
P.J. Tichelaar, Fries aardewerk III. Tichelaar Makkum 1700-1786, Leiden 2004
