De Grieksche A - Lidded vase (2) - Earthenware

Delft – Rare pair of polychrome miniature the Delft faience lids vases – Marked ‘AK’ (The Greek A) – Circa 1700–1720

Description
A rare well-preserved pair (pendant) of early 18th-century polychrome miniature lid vases from Delft tin-glazed earthenware. The octagonally faceted baluster-shaped vases are made as so-called ‘blind vases’ or lidless vases: the prominent lid with a blue flower knop crown is formed in one piece with the body and is fired hollow. This type originally served as a decorative piece for a small cabinet set or in a grand 18th-century dollhouse.

The vases are hand-painted all around in classical Grand Feu colors (high-fire) with stylized flower and leaf motifs in cobalt blue, iron red, antimony yellow, and copper green. Both vases are marked underglaze blue on the base ring with the monogram AK, the factory mark of the renowned pottery De Grieksche A (led by, among others, Pieter Adriaensz. Kocx or his widow Johanna van der Heul).

Provenance: Delft, Netherlands
Pottery: De Grieksche A
Mark: AK in blue underglaze on both vases
Dating: Circa 1700 – 1720
Material: Tin-glazed earthenware (faience)
Height: Circa 16 cm each
Quantity: 2 pieces (pendant)

Condition Report
Both vases are in an authentic, collectible condition with use and age-related wear appropriate for early tin-glazed earthenware: Vase 1: Light edge chips/glaze wear along the pronounced lid rim. An old chip/fracture at the tip of the blue flower knop on top. Stand ring intact. Vase 2: Glaze chips along the lid rim; the flower knop on top is intact. At the corner of the stand ring there is an old crack line/glue seam with edge chipping.

General: No hidden restorations or overpainting; the stand rings show the usual natural kiln cracks and wear. (Please examine the photos carefully; they form an integral part of the condition description).