A Royal Delft creamware five-piece garniture, 1879-1880

painted with the 'Tulk-sunflower motif', comprising: three baluster vases and covers, 41 cm. high; two beaker vases, 31 cm. high, chip foot rim; blue bottle, JT and Delft mark, date letters A and B, inv. no. 4-2545 (8)

Paleis Soestdijk

Overall in good condition. One beaker vase with a chip (1 x 1.2 cm.) to the foot rim and two minute glaze chips to the reverse of the upper rim. Two covers with incorrect inventory number.
"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."

The date letters A and B indicate that this garniture is among the earliest examples of the new Delftware production of De Porceleyne Fles (Royal Delft) factory in Delft in the late nineteenth century. From 1876 onwards owner Joost Thooft, who added his monogram to the mark, had tried to rejuvenate the Delft ceramic industry. Alongside the traditional tin-glazed earthenware a new type of creamware material was developed of which this garniture is a fine example.
The pattern known as the 'Tulk-sunflower motif', was designed by painter Cornelis Tulk (active 1814-1887), who was the factory's only remaining faience painter at this time. Tulk was responsible for the handpainted wares and trained a new generation of ceramic painters. A similar baluster vase and a drawing of Tulk are illustrated in T. M. Eliëns a.o., Delfts aardewerk. Geschiedenis van een nationaal product. De Porceleyne Fles, Zwolle/Delft (Gemeente Musea) 2003, p. 81, no. 15.
In 1887, as encouragement and sign of appreciation, Koning Willem III (1817-1890) gave his collection of seventeenth and eighteenth century Dutch Delftware to the factory, where it is displayed to the present day. The manufactory was granted its royal warrant in 1919 for its efforts to retain and innovate the ceramic industry in Delft. The birth of Prinses Juliana (April 30, 1909) prompted the production of commemorative dishes to be produced by the Royal Delft factory.
See also lot 1472.