Pyramidal Flower Vase
Delft, circa 1690
Aronson Antiquairs, Amsterdam
Marked with AK on the top of the plinth for Adrianus Kocx, the owner of De Grieksche A (The Greek A) factory from 1686 until 1701 and with painted numerals to the sections
Dimensions: Height: 95 cm. (37.4 in.)
Provenance: Sir Cecil W.H. Beaton (1904 – 1980) Reddish House, Wiltshire, England through 1980; Sold at Christie’s, June 10th, 1980, lot 543 and illustrated in color on page 141
Note: The pyramid-shaped flower vases that are still present today in museums and private collections were certainly not part of the regular assortment of the Delft potters. The production process was highly complicated and expensive. Due to marked examples, we know that of the approximately 30 pottery company’s circa five companies were involved in the production of flower vases. De Grieksche A (The Greek A), De Metaale Pot (The Metal Pot) and De Witte Starre (The White Star) were at the top of the list. Over a period of sixty years from around 1680 to 1740, they sold a multitude of different types of vases with spouts and holes. The royal and noble clientele was always looking for the latest and extraordinary models, to impress their friends and relatives. Flower pyramids were often placed in fireplaces, when they were out of use in the summer time.
This particular hexagonal type however, is one of the very few known. All complete pyramids or parts, bear the mark of Adrianus Kocx, except from a pair of bases in Delft. This makes it assumable that the hexagon shaped pyramids have been exclusively produced in De Grieksche A (The Greek A) factory.
Aronson Antiquairs, Amsterdam
