Vaas met polychrome bloemen op crème fond c. 1910

This vase with polychrome flowers was made at the N.V. Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland, a Dutch pottery factory. The cream-colored earthenware was first shaped on a wheel, before being fired and decorated with stylized flowers. This involved skilled hand-painting. The decoration is applied using the ‘polychrome’ technique, using multiple colors and different glazes to produce a vibrant, detailed finish. It’s important to remember that this vase wasn’t made by a solitary artist in a studio, but in a factory setting. Many hands would have been involved in its production, from the initial shaping to the final painting. The design itself likely came from a staff artist, whose work was then interpreted by other workers on the production line. This division of labor is a key aspect of understanding ceramics from this period. While the vase is certainly beautiful, it also reflects the industrial context in which it was made, challenging our ideas around fine art and craft.