A rare pair of Lotus earthenware tile tableaus designed by Bert Nienhuis 1896 - 1901

both consisting of three tiles, painted in Japonist style with herons and cranes at the waterside, stylised lilies and columbines in the background, in shades of blue, green, purple and brown on a cream ground, both in contemporary oak frame

Cf. Bulletin van het Rijksmuseum, 1971, no. 1, p. 43, no. 62 for a similar tableau with cranes and columbines in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam and Exhib. cat. Tegelmuseum Otterlo, 2000, p. 50, fig. 23 for another version in the Meentwijck collection, Bussum

All tiles in good condition but for a few minor imperfections along the sides, the tiles a bit loose in their frames, the cardboard lining at the back of the frames old and worn, the frames with general traces of age and wear
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Lambertus (Bert) Nienhuis (1873 - 1960) trained at the Minerva Academy in his hometown Groningen and at the school of Applied Arts in Amsterdam, where he joined the newly founded earthenware factory Distel in 1895 (see lots 72 & 193). A year later, Nienhuis left Distel to start his own ceramic workshop named Lotus, which mainly produced decorated tiles. The exquisite tile patterns designed by Nienhuis for Lotus show the influence of Japanese woodcuts in the stylisation of nature, combined with restrained flowing linear motifs inspired by Belgian Art Nouveau