A rare pair of Dutch Delft polychrome busts of Herod and Salome

modelled as half-length busts upon integral socle bases, Herod wearing a large headdress gesturing at Salome who holds the head of John the Baptist on a platter, painted in complimenting tones of blue, yellow and green,

The Property of Monsieur A. Plissart, sold Christie's London, 18th May 1970, lot 121;
The Vanhyfte Collection of Dutch Delft;
With Aronson Antiquairs, Amsterdam.

Hugo Morley-Fletcher, Roger McIlroy, Christie's Pictorial History of European Pottery, Oxford London, 1984, p. 217, no. 11;
Daniel. F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, Delft, Niederlandische Fayence, Munich, 1984, p. 317, ill. 368;
Dave and Robert Aronson, Dutch Delftware, Highlights from the Vanhyfte collection, Amsterdam 2003, pp. 6-7, no. 5;
Christine Lahaussois, Faïence De Delft, Paris, 1998, p. 101, no. 48, for a related model.

Both are in remarkable condition, Herod, restoration to left side of left hand effecting the fourth and smallest fingers, and his right index finger. Otherwise there are less than typical glaze chips to extremities.
"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."

An important comparable is the unmarked bust depicting Roman Charity in the collection of the Musée de Cluny.¹ The modelling and treatment of painted patterns in the complimenting palette of green, yellow and blue would suggest that the piece may have been produced in the same factory as the present pair.

Figural busts of this type are extremely uncommon in Dutch Delft. Perhaps the most well known of these are two which depict William III, attributed to De Metaale Pot, and Queen Mary, marked for De Grieksche A, in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Whilst it is difficult to attribute the figures to a factory on the basis of the colour palette, this same minimal colour scheme is recorded on pieces marked for the De Paauw (Peacock) factory.

Salome was the daughter of Herod II and Herodius. After dancing before her father, who was pleased by it, she was offered anything she asked for in return. When Salome asked her mother what she should request, she was told to demand the head of John the Baptist. Reluctantly, Herod ordered the beheading of John, and his head was delivered to her, at her request, on a plate.

^{1. published by Lahaussois, op. cit., 1997, ob. no. CL 11077.}