JVV 0192 

Delft, 1760-1780 

The plaque has a semi-circular top with a pierced hole for suspension and is painted in polychrome with a trompe l'oeil representation of a canary in a birdcage. Outside of the cage on the right is a drinking bowl. 

Dimensions: height 25,3 cm / 9.96 in., width 25,5 cm / 10.03 in. 

Explanatory note
Trompe-l'oeil is a common painting technique that suggests an optical illusion that appears deceptively realistic, like a painted door on a wall. The term comes from French and literally means 'deceives the eye'. On Delft pottery, this technique only occurs with birdcage plaques that were only made for a short time, roughly from 1750 to 1780.