Dutch porcelain

A pair of ajour decorated chestnut baskets with underplates

Decorated with a Zwiebelmüster pattern
Two oval-shaped molded baskets with an ajour wall,
each with a handle on both sides and an accompa-
nying platter. The delicate ajour work consists of
diagonally crossed bands with a four-leafed flower
adorning each crossing. The handles on the baskets
are semi-circular in shape and decorated with two
small knops.
The baskets and platters are decorated in underglaze
blue in the so-called Zwiebelmüster pattern, depict-
ing several flowers and a bouquet. Flanking the outer
parts of the paintings, and on the rim of the baskets a
repeating diaper pattern with stylized floral motifs is
shown. The underside of the platters also bear floral
decorations.
On the next page we see a very similar - almost iden-
tical - pair of Chinese porcelain baskets: of the same
size, with the same handles and the same ajour dec-
orations, with the same flowers in relief on the cross-
ings. Only the blue-and-white decorations display
some differences, but they have the same theme.
These two baskets with their dishes are from the late
Qianlong period (1735-1796). The baskets are illus-
trative of the fascinating exchange between East and
West: the shape of the baskets is entirely European.

The Chinese baskets would have been specially or-
dered for the European market, and were probably
part of a very large service, as was then customary.
Possibly the owners of the Chinese porcelain service
wanted an additional two baskets and ordered these
in Loosdrecht. This occurred quite often, as when a
Mol cup and saucer was made to accompany a Meis-
sen cup and saucer (held in a private collection, cur-
rent whereabouts unknown).
The shape and details and even the sizes so close-
ly approximate the Chinese originals show the true
craftmanship and high quality achieved in the Loos-
drecht factory. One difference is worth noting: the
ajour work of the Loosdrecht basket numbers 30
crossings at the lower rim, whereas that of the Chi-
nese baskets numbers 26. This different number of
crossings shows that the Chinese basket was not re-
moulded but that a whole new model was made. It is
unclear why Loosdrecht went through this process, as
remoulding would have not been the real issue. With
the techniques of the time it was possible to make a
mould, using the original piece. It would have made
the order quite costly, as a separate mould was made
that -to our knowledge- was not used again.
It would be nice to see if more examples of this pair
are to be found, showing that the moulds were used
more often.