Dutch porcelain

A pair of ajour decorated chestnut baskets with underplates, China

Decorated with a Zwiebelmüster pattern

Two oval-shaped baskets, each with a handle on
either side, resting on accompanying dishes. The
sides of the baskets and their outer rims are decorat
-ed in delicate ajour work. Each crossing features a
four-petalled flower applied separately. The semicir
-cular handles on the baskets are each adorned with
two little knops.
The baskets and saucers are decorated in underglaze
blue in the so-called Zwiebelmüster pattern, depict
-ing several flowers and a bouquet. To the outer parts
of the paintings, and on the rim of the baskets a re
-peating diaper pattern with stylized floral motives
is shown.
The underside of the platters also bear floral deco
-rations.
On the previous page we see a very similar, almost
identical pair of Loosdrecht baskets; having the same
size, the same handles and the same ajour decoration,
with the same flowers put on the crossings.
Only the blue-and-white decorations display some
differences. Those two baskets and their dishes date
from 1774-1784.
Could the Chinese pair first have been imported to
the Netherlands with the Loosdrecht baskets subse
-quently being made to accompany them?