A Dutch crespina
- Period:
- 17th century
- Dimensions:
- 5.3 x 26.5 cm
- Reference:
- 100-998
Price on request
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A Dutch crespina
Attributed to the workshop of Willem Jansz. Verstraeten, Haarlem, circa 1640–1650
Decorated in the style of the Patanazzi workshop in Urbino. The central medallion depicts Cupid with a bow and arrow, surrounded by a yellow circle. The outer border is painted with eight bird-like grotesques amid winding floral and foliate scrolls. The whole composition is enclosed by a yellow border decorated with ochre-colored stripes.
This type of decoration has its origins in the majolica pottery of the Patanazzi family in Urbino around 1515. As potters migrated from southern Europe to the Low Countries, Haarlem developed into an important centre for majolica production by 1600. Although most of their works cannot be attributed to a specific maker, Willem Jansz. Verstraeten stands out as a key figure.
Verstraeten, the son of the Antwerp merchant Jan Verstraeten (formerly Jean de la Rue), moved to Haarlem in 1590. After training in Delft and managing the ‘De Porceleyne Schotel’ factory, he established his own large pottery in Haarlem in 1625. His workshop produced high-quality pottery, particularly pieces featuring biblical and historical themes, until around 1640, when the workshop moved away from its earlier majolica production. With new technical innovations, the factory began producing blue-and-white pottery to meet the demand for Chinese porcelain.
Haarlem, 1640–1660.
Formerly in the collection of
A.C. Beeling, antique dealer, Leeuwarden.
J. Ritman, Amsterdam.
