D2548. Polychrome Plaque

Delft, circa 1760

Marked D in blue, attributed to Jan Theunis Dextra, owner of De Grieksche A (The Greek A) factory from 1757 to 1765

Painted in iron-red, yellow, iron-red, manganese, blue and green with a lush bouquet of flowers, such as a lily-of-the-valley, lily, carnation, anemone and peony in a blue and white vase, the self-molded frame with a blue ground reserved with iron-red scrollwork and leaf patterns, the top pierced with two holes for suspension; the reverse glazed.

DIMENSIONS
Height: 36.5 cm. (14.4 in.);
Width: 32.5 cm. (12.8)

PROVENANCE
Collection Maurice de Ramaix (1850-1918), Château de Grune, Belgium, before 1913

NOTE
Maurice de Ramaix (1850–1918), a distinguished Belgian diplomat, developed a profound appreciation for Delftware during his tenure in The Hague in the late ninenteenth century. His marriage to Marie Suermondt, of the prominent Suermondt family, further immersed him in elite circles where such artistry was esteemed. De Ramaix’s diplomatic assignments across Europe, combined with his scholarly interest in Dutch industry—articularly his admiration for De Porceleyne Fles (now known as Royal Delft)—deepened his passion for Delftware. His collection, later expanded by his son Gaston (1878–1937), became renowned for its exquisite seventeenth- and eighteenth-century pieces, which reflected themes of nature, historical narratives, and aristocratic patronage. Notably, the collection featured polychrome plaques adorned with avian motifs, exemplifying the family’s discerning taste and commitment to preserving Dutch ceramic artistry.