Cylindrical covered jar on foot with precious objects and antiquities c. 1700 - 1724

This covered jar was made in Delft with tin-glazed earthenware, though the date and maker are unknown. The jar’s decoration is in the style of Chinese porcelain, featuring blue motifs on a white background. This style was incredibly popular in the Netherlands during the 17th and 18th centuries, when Dutch traders had extensive contact with China, and the Dutch East India Company imported large quantities of porcelain. Dutch potters in Delft then began to imitate Chinese porcelain, leading to the creation of Delftware. The exotic vases depicted on this object also suggest global trade in luxury goods. The jar’s shape, with handles and a lid, is unusual for Chinese porcelain, and may reflect Dutch tastes and preferences. Objects like this point to the role of artistic and economic exchange between Europe and Asia, and demonstrate the commercial and cultural value that Europeans placed on Asian goods. Further research into the archives of the Dutch East India Company and the Delftware factories may provide more insight into its production and use.