Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland large handpainted Gouda ewer (jug or pitcher) vase

Large (39 cm high) handpainted Gouda style ewer (jug / pitcher) vase made in 1921 by Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland (PZH) in Gouda, the Netherlands. The vase is painted in Dutch art nouveau Gouda style with a décor called "Beek", which translates as "Brook". It features on its round body a band of organic shapes and ornaments in russet (reddish brown), orange and turquoise colours, surrounded with cobalt blue and orange-brown outlines against a cream white background. The neck, sprout and handle are painted a dark moss green, with a slightly streaky, cloudy appearance. The base of the vase is painted a dark moss green with dark vertical streaks. The vase is produced with a matt glaze style, which means that the decorations were not painted underglaze (under a transparent glaze), but instead were painted on top of a cream white background glaze and fused with this glaze during a second firing. This process is similar to the creation of tin-glazed Delftware and was first adopted by PZH for Gouda style earthenware in 1909. The inside of the vase is also fully glazed.

The vase is fully signed at the bottom with a handpainted PZH mark (a house with a gate, the Lazarus gate of Gouda), a model or series number (903), the name of the decor (Beek), a year symbol (of 1921) together with the number of the month that the vase was produced (7, the month of July), a painters signature (WvW) and the designations "Gouda" and "Holland". Also some inscribed numbers and letters can be vaguely seen, among which we read a "K" and "119".

This pitcher is very large sized for Gouda standards, as Gouda items are generally produced with much smaller sizes. It is also in a great condition (see the detailed condition description below) and will be a real eye-catcher in a variety of interior styles, from classic to modern.

Made by: Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland

Place of manufacture: Gouda, the Netherlands

Year of manufacture: 1921

Method of decoration: handpainted (matt glaze)

Size: height: 38,7 cm, diameter: 21,2 cm (capacity 4,6 litres)

Weight: 1,74 kg

Condition: excellent, there are no damages, cracks, hairlines or restorations. There is very little wear to the glaze, which has a beautiful matte gloss. The colours of the decoration are still bright and strong. A very light, even crazing can be noticed in the cream white parts of the decoration (the unpainted parts where the background glaze is visible). This is normal for Gouda pieces of this age and in our opinion just adds character to the item.

Additional pictures of the object can be provided if required.

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About Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland:

Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland (also known as "Plazuid" or PZH) was a pottery company located in the city of Gouda which played a leading role in the development of the Gouda art pottery style during the 1900-1920 period. The factory was founded in 1898 and produced till 1910 primarily high quality art nouveau / Jugendstil style pottery. In 1909 it developed a matt glaze technique that became characteristic for Gouda style pottery in the following decades (up till then the decoration was often painted underglaze with a high gloss finish). Production was quite successful and around 1920 over 300 people were employed by the company. Many famous names in Dutch ceramic art have created designs for Zuid-Holland.

Decline came when during 1928 a yearlong labour strike of factory workers struck the Gouda pottery industry. After that conflict was resolved, the Great Depression of the 1930's kicked in. In reaction to this, production became oriented towards more simple designs and techniques and to the production of tableware instead of art pottery (under the "Plazuid" name). After WWII the factory continued its production. Delftware (Delft Blue and polychrome styles), which had always been produced by the factory alongside its Gouda styles, became more important. The company survived up till 1965, when rising labour costs and the competition of other Dutch ceramic factories such as Zenith and Goedewaagen forced a sudden closure.

More information on Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland (and Gouda pottery in general) can be found on these English language websites: www.goudadesign.co.uk and http://journalofantiques.com/features/the-world-of-gouda-pottery/.

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This beautiful item will be carefully packed and send by tracked and insured mail.

If you buy multiple items from our shop in one purchase, we will try to combine the items into one parcel. Any excess shipping costs will be refunded.

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you may contact us within 14 days from the delivery date to return the item. If the item is returned in its original condition, we will issue a refund for the total purchase price of the item (return shipping costs are however not covered).