Every month we present a special object from the Aronson Antiquairs’ collection. This month we are delighted to share with you a pair of butter tubs with covers and stands, executed in polychrome petit feu and enriched with gilding, dating from circa 1760. Each octagonal tub is painted in the vibrant Kakiemon palette with birds perched on flowering branches, a motif that continues across the covers and stands. The finials, modeled as reclining figures, add a playful sculptural accent to these otherwise refined utilitarian wares.

From the late seventeenth century onwards, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) played a decisive role in shaping European taste. As the supply of Chinese porcelain was interrupted by political unrest, the Company shifted much of its porcelain trade to Japan. Among the most coveted imports was Japanese Kakiemon porcelain, admired for its delicate palette and refined imagery of birds, plants, and sometimes even exotic animals. While initially costly and rare, these wares quickly became a source of inspiration for the Delft potters.

In Delft, the Kakiemon style was not copied literally, but creatively adapted to Western forms and tastes. The delicate tied sheaves of grain, sprouting bamboo, pine, and prunus blossoms so typical of the Japanese examples were translated into fuller, more continuous patterns that completely enveloped the Delft objects. This not only enhanced their decorative appeal but also reflected the economic logic of the period: the more richly an object was painted, the more expensive it became.

Such butter tubs—luxury items intended to grace the dining table—are therefore a fascinating testimony to the cultural dialogue between East and West in the eighteenth century. They demonstrate how Delft potters took inspiration from the exclusivity of Japanese porcelain and transformed it into their own imaginative interpretations. While their Kakiemon counterparts were precious imports reserved for the wealthy few, Delftware offered a more accessible yet equally elegant alternative, imbued with local creativity and craftsmanship.

Dimensions
Width of stands: 18.7 cm. (7.4 in.)

€ 18.500 (US$ 21,000 export*)
incl. shipping
(*excl. local taxes, if applicable)

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