Collection Of Four Orange-themed Vases, Delft, Netherlands, 1780–1787

This rare and historic set of “ting” glazed earthenware consists of a central baluster vase with a lid, two trumpet-shaped vases, and a smaller bottle-shaped vase. Each vase is adorned on its front with a central medallion framed by a Rococo-style scroll motif, rendered in shades of ochre and manganese. Inside the medallion, one can admire a finely crafted political allegory: a reclining Dutch lion resting on a rolling landscape at the foot of an orange tree laden with fruit. Above the lion is a yellow text band bearing the eloquent pro-Orange motto: “Here I rest in safety.” The composition is richly adorned with garlands of flowers, foliage, and stylized oranges.

This dinner service is a rare example of Orange-party faience, produced during the intense political struggle that pitted the rising Patriots against the royalist Orangists in the late 18th century. At the time, the Delft earthenware factories skillfully capitalized on this conflict by producing explicit propaganda items. The symbolism of this set leaves no doubt as to its owner’s loyalty. The orange tree symbolizes the House of Orange-Nassau and the seated Stadtholder William V, while the Dutch lion represents the Republic of the Seven United Provinces.

About the factory:

Although these vases are unmarked, this design appears on several other vases from the “De Porceleyne Bijl” factory. This earthenware factory was founded on January 15, 1657, and was located on the south side of Gasthuislaan in Delft. Unlike other factories that regularly changed partners, De Porceleyne Bijl was characterized, as early as 1668, by a very stable structure. The factory had a large kiln and succeeded in building a very broad international clientele. It reached its absolute peak in the 18th century, during the time when Justus Brouwer was the owner. Under his leadership, the factory specialized in tableware and household pottery, of which these vases are a very good example.