Revealed in Delft BlueThree 17th-Century Vases Reunited After Nearly a Century
Amsterdam, March 3, 2025 – History often reveals its secrets only to those who are willing to seek them. What began as a remarkable acquisition in Sweden led to a deep dive into archives and auction catalogs, culminating in the reunion of a rare set of three monumental Delft blue vases. After nearly a century apart, these 17th-century masterpieces are together once more. The official unveiling will take place at TEFAF Maastricht 2025, where Aronson Antiquairs will present this extraordinary discovery to the public for the first time.
A Fortuitous Discovery with Major Consequences
In early summer 2024, Robert Aronson, director of Aronson Antiquairs, acquired an elegant pair of Delft blue vases from a private collection in Sweden. These refined objects, attributed to the Amsterdam pottery De Drie Posteleyne Astonne, underwent minor restoration before being integrated into the collection.
Several months later, in November, a strikingly similar covered vase appeared at a Parisian auction. Decades earlier, this piece had left the gallery, sold by Robert’s father to a Belgian family. Recognizing its provenance, Aronson decided to bring the vase back to Amsterdam.
Upon its arrival, a keen-eyed colleague noted the striking similarity between the decoration and execution of the newly acquired vase and the earlier pair. Initially skeptical—since the auction house had attributed the vase to De Metaale Pot—Aronson examined the details more closely and realized there might be an intriguing connection. But in the world of antique dealing, instinct alone is not enough; proof was required.
A Journey Through Archives
The search led Aronson and his team to their own archives, where a brief note from Robert’s father surfaced: “ex. Huldschinsky.” This referred to Oscar Huldschinsky, a prominent Berlin art collector whose collection was auctioned in 1928.
In the digital version of the auction catalog, two entries stood out:
“228 – Porcelain vase, Delft, 17th century, H. 58 cm.”
“229 – Two porcelain vases, Delft, 17th century, H. 58 cm each.”
This was a significant lead, but without images, it remained uncertain whether these were the same vases. Determined to confirm the provenance, the team tracked down an original copy of the catalog at an antiquarian bookstore in the United States and had it shipped to New York. In early January 2025, the decisive moment arrived: a photograph in the catalog unmistakably depicted the same three vases, precisely as they now stood reunited. The brushstrokes, motifs, and nuances in decoration left no doubt—the set was complete once again.
A Tribute to a Collector
The reunion of these vases is not only a rare academic success but also a tribute to Oscar Huldschinsky, whose collection was dispersed amid the turmoil of the 20th century. Thanks to meticulous provenance research and a keen eye for detail, a piece of history has been restored.
Premiering at TEFAF Maastricht 2025
The unveiling of this remarkable reunion will take place at TEFAF Maastricht, where Aronson Antiquairs will present these masterpieces to the public for the first time. “Bringing these vases together is not only an enrichment of our collection but also a tribute to the original collector,” says Robert Aronson. “It demonstrates that the history of Delft masters is not merely preserved—it is actively rewritten.”
In addition to this extraordinary discovery, Aronson Antiquairs will also present the Kitty Valkier-Schreurs Collection at TEFAF. This carefully curated collection of Delftware, assembled over two decades, reflects a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and historical significance and will be exhibited in its entirety.
With this presentation, Aronson Antiquairs reaffirms its dedication to the preservation and study of Delftware. The gallery looks forward to sharing these masterpieces and their stories with collectors and enthusiasts at TEFAF Maastricht 2025.
TEFAF Maastricht will be held at the MECC in Maastricht from March 15 to 20
with Early Access (by invitation) on March 13 and 14
About Aronson Antiquairs
Founded in 1881, Aronson Antiquairs has been a leading name in the world of Delftware for over five generations. Specializing in 17th- and 18th-century Dutch ceramics, the gallery combines in-depth research with a refined selection of rare and museum-quality pieces. Aronson Antiquairs advises museums and private collectors worldwide and has been an exhibitor at TEFAF Maastricht for decades.
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