Delft – Set of Four 18th Century Dutch Polychrome Delftware Floral Plates

Set of Four Antique Dutch Delft Polychrome Floral Plates, Mid-18th Century

A matching set of four Dutch Delft polychrome plates, dating from the mid-eighteenth century.

Each plate is painted with asymmetrically arranged floral sprays dominated by large, densely petalled roses. The flowers are accompanied by smaller blossoms, buds and serrated green foliage, with several delicate sprigs scattered across the otherwise open centre. A fine iron-red line encircles the rim.

The decoration is executed in a distinctive palette of manganese, green, yellow and iron-red. Dark manganese outlines define the flowers and foliage, while carefully applied areas of colour create depth within the large blooms.

During the middle decades of the eighteenth century, Delft painters increasingly incorporated European floral decoration alongside the established chinoiserie repertoire. Naturalistic flower sprays of this type reflected contemporary developments in European faience and porcelain, while retaining the characteristic palette and graphic quality of Dutch Delftware.

The survival of four closely matching plates is particularly appealing, as plates originally belonging to larger services were frequently dispersed through use and inheritance.

The condition is consistent with age and use, including minor fritting and small edge chips.

Diameter 23 cm