faience, light cream clay
imprinted in the mold, white glaze with a slight gray-blue tint
underglaze painting
height without lid: 23.5 cm
height with lid: 33.5 cm
dimensions of the base: 9.5 cm x 10.4 cm
dimensions of the spout: 6.2 cm x 5.6 cm
17th century.
A pair of balassa vases (een paar vasen), made in Delft - the most famous center of faience production in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. The faience pieces in the Art Cabinet's collection are a pair of ovoid suit vases, octagonal, flattened at the front and back. The base is widened, the neck octagonal, the lids domed with a dog figure. The front of each vase features a large cartouche, separated by relief rocaille motifs. In the center of the cartouche field is a pair of lovers accompanied by a dog, captured dancing. A tree can be seen in the background and a mountainous landscape in the farthest background. On the back of the vase is a branch with a flower and small leaves. On the underside of both vases the monogram "AK" painted in cobalt. The decoration painted in cobalt in dark blue.