D1925. Blue and White Oval Brush Back

Delft, circa 1730

Painted after David Teniers the Younger (1610-90) with a scene of a couple dancing near five men and the tavern maid and being observed by another woman at the door of the tavern beyond, a dog walking near barrels in the foreground, the top pierced with a suspension hole, and the unglazed underside pierced with holes for the bristles.

Length: 13.7 cm. (5.4 in.)

Provenance: Aronson Antiquairs, Amsterdam, 2007; Dutch Private Collection

Literature: Described and illustrated in Aronson 2005, p. 31,
no. 26

Note:

This brush back is one of the relatively rare survivals of a utilitarian object from a line of specialty goods produced by the Delft potters in imitation of the more expensive silver prototypes. The brushes were made by binding small clusters of horsehair with thread and then affixing the clusters with resin to the interior of the pierced holes on the underside of the back. Intended as clothes brushes, these practical objects were often given as bridal gifts and may bear a date or a monogram. The decoration on this piece is taken directly from an etching of Peasants Dancing by the Flemish artist, David Teniers the Younger.

Print information:
The British Museum
F,3. 150
Peasant scene with a couple dancing in the centre, being watched by several figures in front of a tavern to the right, a bench and a large sign-post to the left; from a series of four copies after David Teniers the Younger by the Monogrammist IS

Etching
After: David Teniers the Younger
Print made by: Jan Savery
Published by: Frans van den Wyngaerde
Flemish, 1625-1690

Dimensions
Height: 88 millimetres
Width: 105 millimetres
Inscription type: inscription
Inscription content: Monogrammed in the lower part of the print: “IS F.”. Lettered in the lower margin: “D Teniers in” and “F. V. W. ex”.

Bibliographic references
Hollstein / Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts c.1450-1700 (40)
Dutuit 1881-5 / Manuel de l’Amateur d’Estampes (VI.427.33.II)
Wurzbach 1906-11 / Niederländisches Künstler-Lexikon (II.562.1)