D2664. Pair of Plaques

Delft, circa 1770

DIMENSIONS
Heights: 16.6 cm. (6.5 in.);
Lengths: 17.8 cm. (7 in.)

PROVENANCE
Dutch Private Collection, Maastricht;
Aronson Antiquairs, Amsterdam;
Dutch Private Collection

NOTE
Floral plaques of this type formed an important part of eighteenth-century interior decoration, where they were hung singly or in symmetrical pairs to complement painted walls, mirrors, or larger ceramic ensembles.

Delft floral plaques draw directly on the long-standing Dutch tradition of flower painting, which flourished in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Rather than depicting botanically exact specimens, Delft painters favored carefully balanced bouquets composed of different flowers shown simultaneously in bloom. This approach reflects an aesthetic ideal rooted in abundance, harmony, and visual richness, rather than strict naturalism. The present plaques feature centrally arranged floral compositions, painted in a lively polychrome palette, and framed by scalloped, lobed outlines that enhance their decorative presence.

Floral plaques of this scale are relatively uncommon and were likely intended for more intimate interior settings. Their paired format suggests they were conceived as pendants, reinforcing symmetry and balance within a room. Such plaques were appreciated for their painterly quality and their close relationship to contemporary flower still lifes on canvas and paper.