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Lot Essay
The drama took place in Zaandam on 29th August, 1647, when a woman rushed to her husband who was being thrown in the air because of a bull who was probably startled by a boy flying a kite. The wife gave birth to her son in mid-air and both fell on the ground. The parents died directly after the drama and the child survived, but died nine months later.
The family is buried in the 'Bullenkerk' or Westzijderkerk Zaandam, where the painting (dated 1737) which was the example for the decoration of this cup and saucer, hangs as well, together with a poem ('Des Stiers Wreedheyt') which describes the incident. (see D.F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, Chinese Export Porcelain - Chine de Commande, London, 1974, ill. 358 for a plate in the Zaanlandse Oudheidskamer, Zaandijk; and Museum Boymans van Beuningen, Rotterdam; and for the whole group with this subject see: Hervouèt et Bruneau, La Porcelaine des Compagnies des Indes a Décor Occidental, Paris, 1986, pp. 380-381 pls. 16.50-16.54)
The family is buried in the 'Bullenkerk' or Westzijderkerk Zaandam, where the painting (dated 1737) which was the example for the decoration of this cup and saucer, hangs as well, together with a poem ('Des Stiers Wreedheyt') which describes the incident. (see D.F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, Chinese Export Porcelain - Chine de Commande, London, 1974, ill. 358 for a plate in the Zaanlandse Oudheidskamer, Zaandijk; and Museum Boymans van Beuningen, Rotterdam; and for the whole group with this subject see: Hervouèt et Bruneau, La Porcelaine des Compagnies des Indes a Décor Occidental, Paris, 1986, pp. 380-381 pls. 16.50-16.54)