Vaas met deksel c. 1912

This vase with a lid, by De Porceleijne Fles, is made of earthenware. It looks like it could be tin-glazed, and painted with enamel. What I love about this piece is the way the decorator’s hand is so clearly visible. You can see all the variations in pressure and speed, and how the paint responds. In fact, it is possible to see this as a kind of drawing with paint: the peacock design around the body of the vase is really decorative, with a range of blues and greens and browns. The peacock is a classic image, the kind of image that’s been around for centuries and is always being reworked. I would say the freshness of the image and the way the decorator’s hand is clear make this a really intriguing piece. It really speaks to the ongoing conversation around art making!