Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland (PZH) very large handpainted Delft imari 'garlic-neck' vase

Very large (44,5 cm high) handpainted Delft style "garlic-neck" vase (the Dutch name for this type of vase is "knobbelvaas", which translates to "knob vase"), made in the 1950's by Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland (PZH) in Gouda, the Netherlands. The vase is painted in Delft imari style (based on the Japanese imari style of ceramics) using blue, green, yellow, brown and gold colours. The blue, green, yellow and brown colours are applied underglaze, while the gold paint is applied overglaze. The body of the vase has a decoration which encircles the vase, showing a fantasy garden with a wide array of flowers, leaves and ribbons. The base of the vase and the knob are decorated with Delft style ornaments. The vase is ribbed, which adds an extra sheen to the glaze. The inside of the vase is fully glazed.

The Delftware of Zuid-Holland is noted for its very good quality, comparable with that of the Porceleyne Fles (Royal Delft). In comparison with the Porceleyne Fles, the decorations of Zuid-Holland are more flamboyant and expressive, which is probably an influence from their Gouda style products, which often feature expressive, organic decorations. The glaze of PZH also has a bit darker tint, which makes it look especially good at night under incandescent light. It has a gloss and sparkle that is really unique for PZH.

The vase is signed at the bottom with a handpainted PZH mark (a house with a gate, the Lazarus gate of Gouda), a vase model number (5054) and the classifications "Delft" and "Holland". To the left of the PZH mark there is a year symbol which we cannot identify, but which could be the year symbol of 1956. To the right of the PZH mark we find the painters signature, "Gv", which is the signature of Mr. Gerrit Nicolaas Veerman, who worked from 1918 till 1964 at PZH as a painter. His mark is often found on Delft style items of PZH from the 1950's. Underneath the PZH mark there is an additional number (4001), which most probably is a batch number.

Condition: excellent, there are no damages, cracks, hairlines or restorations. There is no crazing or visible wear to the glaze, which has a beautiful gloss. The overglaze gold paint has been applied thickly and show very little wear, except for a bit on the edge of the mouth of the vase. The inside of the vase is clean.

Imari style Delftware of Zuid-Holland is quite rare and cannot be often found on the market, certainly not in a large and beautiful shape like this. The flamboyant style and rich colours make this a piece of Delftware that will not easily bore. An exceptional vase, which will add class, style and colour to any room and will match with a variety of interior styles, from classic to modern.

Made by: Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland

Place of manufacture: Gouda, the Netherlands

Year of manufacture: most probably between 1950 and 1957

Method of decoration: handpainted (underglaze and overglaze)

Size: height: 42,2 cm, diameter: 21,7 cm (capacity 6 litres)

Weight: 2,52 kg

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 demanding higher wages struck the Gouda pottery industry. After that 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. 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 competition from 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 this English language website: www.goudadesign.co.uk.

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This beautiful piece will be securely packed and send by tracked and insured mail. If you buy multiple items from our shop, we will combine the shipping of these items. If the actual combined shipping costs are less than the shipping costs that you have already paid, we will refund the difference. So you will only pay the actual shipping costs.

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 full refund (return costs are however not covered).