Bloempot 1740 - 1775

This earthenware flowerpot, made by De Drie Posteleyne Astonne, presents a fascinating blend of Dutch and Chinese aesthetics. The blue and white glaze immediately brings to mind the iconic Delftware pottery that flourished in the Netherlands from the 17th century onwards. However, the imagery adorning the pot hints at a deeper cultural exchange. The figure and the stylized floral motifs are clear appropriations of Chinese porcelain designs, which were highly coveted in Europe. We can see the rise of global trade during this period. The Dutch East India Company, a powerful economic and political institution, played a crucial role in bringing these exotic goods to Europe, and in shaping European perceptions of the East. This flowerpot, therefore, speaks not only to artistic taste but also to the complex networks of trade, colonialism, and cultural appropriation that defined the era. Further research into the archives of the Dutch East India Company, as well as studies of the Delftware industry, might reveal more about the specific social and economic conditions that led to the creation of pieces like this.