Delft Blue and White Armorial Plate With the Coat of Arms Delft, 1686-1701

Description

Blue and white marriage plate
Delft, dated 1759

The marriage plate is painted in blue with a crowned shield between … more Blue and white marriage plate
Delft, dated 1759

The marriage plate is painted in blue with a crowned shield between two laurel wreaths. The shield is suspended from a heart held by two hands emerging from clouds on either side. The names of the newly-weds A.V. Bezooijen en M.B. Abeer are mentioned on it, and underneath is the date of the wedding: October 6th 1759. The well is painted with a meander motif, the border with a small band of six cartouches filled with landscapes and separated from one another by trellis-work.

Dimensions: diameter 26.6 cm / 10.47 in. Condition: Rim chips typical for Dutch Delftware. An imperfection in the glaze to the right of the coat of arms. Some minor edge damage has been professionally restored in the past.

Marriage was and is a special and joyful occasion in life and presenting gifts by relatives and other guests was part of it. Delftware objects made as a commemoration of the wedding were a suitable present. It was also possible that a married couple ordered such items themselves in Delft. Wedding anniversaries were commemorated on plates too. Interlocking hands emerging from clouds and holding a heart are a well-known decorative motif on marriage plates (Van Geenen, p. 126, nrs.11.18 and 11.20). They are symbols of divine blessings on Christian marriage. less