Fine Early Delft Lobed Dish with Harbour Scene, c. 1695–1720
$1,950.00
Early Delft lobed dish, produced in the Netherlands in the late 17th or early 18th century (circa 1695–1720). Tin-glazed earthenware entirely hand-painted in cobalt blue underglaze, featuring a harbour scene of Dutch tradition with sailing vessels and coastal architecture. The piece shows a deeply lobed profile with floral and cartouche decoration and is preserved in original, untouched condition, with no restorations or later interventions. A work of high historical and decorative quality, suitable for a specialized collection or refined traditional interior.
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This Delft lobed dish was produced in Delft in the late 17th or early 18th century (circa 1695–1720). It is entirely hand-painted in cobalt blue underglaze and preserved in original condition, with no restorations or later interventions.
The piece features a deeply lobed and strongly contoured form, with a dynamic profile characteristic of late Baroque Delft typology, predating the more regularized shapes that became widespread throughout the 18th century. This type of outline, technically and structurally more complex, is associated with early production and with decorative objects conceived as display pieces, as seen in high-quality Delft lobed dish forms of the period.
At the center, a harbour scene of Dutch tradition unfolds, depicting sailing vessels and riverside architecture, executed with a confident and fluid hand derived from 17th-century graphic language. This narrative composition is typical of early Delft production, where landscape plays a primary role rather than a purely ornamental one, reinforcing the decorative purpose of this Delft lobed dish.
The rim is structured with alternating cartouches and continuous floral ornamentation, creating a rhythmic visual reading of the whole. This treatment of the border, together with the presence of floral decoration on the reverse, indicates a piece intended to be appreciated from multiple angles, beyond everyday functional use.
The cobalt blue displays natural tonal variations, ranging from denser areas to softer washes, the result of freehand brush application and manual pigment control typical of early artisanal production. On the reverse, a handwritten monogram in blue is visible, interpretable as an internal workshop or painter’s mark, common in Delft of this period and not necessarily attributable with certainty to a specific documented manufactory.
Condition
The dish is preserved in honest and untouched condition, with no restorations, repainting, or additions. It shows light wear on the most exposed points of the lobed rim and small old chips consistent with its age and material. The glaze presents only natural signs of aging, a feature particularly valued by collectors of Delft lobed dish examples.
Dimensions
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Height: 24.4 cm / 9.6 in
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Width: 21.5 cm / 8.5 in
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Depth: 4 cm / 1.6 in
Technical considerations and collectability
The combination of early chronology, complex lobed form, figurative harbour scene, interior and exterior decoration, and complete absence of restoration places this piece within a limited group of early Delft productions intended for a higher level of decorative use.
