Lot Essay
This design made by Cornelis Pronk, in 1737 was the fourth and last drawing he made for the Dutch East India Company; it was sent to Batavia by the Heeren XVII in 1738 and received in Canton in 1739. See C.J.A. Jörg, Pronk Porcelain, pp.34-37 for a discussion on this design; ibid, fig.11, colour pl.X and cat.no.50 for the similar example in the Groninger Museum. Jörg explains that the earlier designs are reported to have 'proved quite expensive and for this reason they did not dare to have the whole quantity made as had been requested'. It was probably for this reason that this design was only made in underglaze-blue and white, and in famille rose enamels.
Similar dishes are illustrated by D. Howard & J. Ayers, op.cit, vol.I, p.301, no.295; by C.J.A. Jörg, op.cit, p.104, fig.38, for the Princessehof Museum, Leeuwarden, example
Similar dishes are illustrated by D. Howard & J. Ayers, op.cit, vol.I, p.301, no.295; by C.J.A. Jörg, op.cit, p.104, fig.38, for the Princessehof Museum, Leeuwarden, example