JVV 0600
Delft, 1650-1680
The dish has a wide-spreading flange and is painted in blue with the Biblical theme ‘The healing of the servant of the centurion of Capernaum’ (Matthew 8:5-8, Luke 7:1-7). The well is unpainted. On the flange, four large cartouches are reserved on a ground of trellis work and scales. The cartouches are painted with floral motifs. The outer rim is blue.
Dimensions: diameter 34,5 cm / 13.58 in.
Similar examples
A Bible dish with the same design of the central décor - Biblical theme in a landscape with buildings - is in a German private collection (Hebben & Peters 2020, p.77). The flange has exactly the same design with four cartouches on a ground of trellis work and scales. The similarity of the entire setting and the manner of painting makes it clear that both pieces come from the same pottery, and possibly were even painted by the same Delftware painter.
Explanatory note
Biblical decors on Dutch delftware from the third quarter of the seventeenth century are relatively rare. The vast majority of production consisted of landscapes and floral decorations derived from Chinese porcelain of the Chongzhen period (1628-1644) that was immensely popular in the Dutch republic. The floral ornaments on the flange of this dish are frequently found as independent decor on pots, jars and vases.
Literature
V. Hebben, I. Peters (ed.), Im Glanz des Barocks. Fayencen des 17. und 18. Jahrhunders. Sammlung Wolfgang und Marie-Luise Posten, Kevelaer 2020
