JVV 0541
Delft, 1690-1700
The Peacock pottery [attributed to]
The octagonal double gourd vase stands on a wide, narrowing foot, and ends in a trumpet-shaped mouth. The vase is painted in blue, green and yellow. Around the body is a floral chinoiserie landscape with an oriental mythical creature, a peacock, birds and insects. The fearsome-looking mythical creature has its mouth open, showing its long sabre-like tusks. On the shoulder are flowers in eight compartments on an alternating green or blue fond. The narrow middle section is undecorated. Around the thickened upper part in the neck is a second landscape painted with a peacock, a bird and insects, under a band of three floral and foliate tendrils. The outside of the mouth features stylised tulips. Below a band of four flower and leaf ornaments, eight stylised banana leaves are painted around the foot, alternating with eight pointed leaves.
Dimensions: height 46,5 cm / 18.30 in., diameter 21 cm / 8.26 in.
Condition: firing crack around the narrow middle section between the body and the thickened upper part.
Similar examples
A 47-centimetre-high double gourd vase with a very similar decoration with peacock and dragon is in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (inv. no. C466-1927).
Explanatory note
In the late seventeenth century, the Peacock pottery excelled in the production of floral decorations of birds, peacocks and dragons in the colours blue, green and yellow, sometimes complemented by red. Besides on lidded jars and cabinet sets, this type of decoration was also executed on a variety of objects such as double gourd bottles, flower holders, beer mugs and dishware.
