The 17th Century commercial relations with the Orient resulted in the fact that European Arts were strongly influenced by the Chinese way of decoration. This was also the case for Dutch Delftware. The obelisk shape can be associated to the Egyptian pyramids. Inventory reports describe these flowerholders as floral pyramids and not as obelisks. Furthermore Chinese pagodas can have been influencing the shape of these flowerholders, e.g.: the pagoda at Nanking which was well know from illustrations in contemporary travel reports. The pyramidal flowerholders are built of elements which diminish in size and end with a pointed spire. The pyramidal display of fruit and flowers was not unknown in those days. Europe knew the habit of building up fruit, flowers and vessels in this decorative shape. Oriental porcelain and Delftware were collected and exhibited in porcelain cabinets during the late 17th Century. The objects in the porcelain cabinet of Oranienburg were pyramidally dsplayed. The famous Court architect of William and Mary, Daniel Marot (1663 - 1752), created small étagères in the shape of a pyramid. The pyramidal flowerholder can thus be a variation of both a Chinese pagoda as well as an Italian obelisk.

See illustration