•D2161. Pair of Blue and White Reticulated Strawberry Dishes and Stands

Marked with a claw and numbered 6 in blue for De Klaauw (The Claw) factory

Each piece with a scalloped and barbed rim edged with a wide border of stippled foliate-scroll-edged panels alternating with foliate trefoil devices issuing scrolls, the interior painted with a floral spray in the center of the stands, or with smaller floral sprigs in between the elaborately pierced openwork in the center of the dishes, the exterior of the dishes with four-dots-devices alternating sprigs and affixed on the bottom with three short scroll feet.

DIMENSIONS

Width of dishes: 28.6 cm. (11.3 in.)

PROVENANCE

Belgian Private Collection

NOTE

The well-laid table was the culmination of splendor. Inspired by the French court of Louis XIV (reigned from 1643 to 1715), the dishes were laid out on the table per course and guests could serve themselves from the platters within their reach. This of course resulted in the most beautiful tableware, such as these Delftware fruit strainers and stands. The fruit strainers were often used at the end of the dinner, when fruits and various pastries were served. The fruits were placed on the strainer and rinsed under a pump, whereafter the stand could be placed directly on its dish on the table. The strainer also allowed the fruits to ventilate and thus remain fresh for a longer time. Not only were these objects highly efficient and functional, they were also a feast for the eye.