Bord, beschilderd met drie figuren bij een boom

About this artwork

height 3.1 cm x diameter 25 cm

Art Historical Context

Welcome to our virtual museum exhibit featuring a delicate porcelain plate from the Manufacture Oud-Loosdrecht, *Bord, beschilderd met figuren bij een boom (Plate, painted with three figures a tree), created around 1778–1782. Measuring just 3.1 cm in height and 25 cm in diameter, petite dish exemplifies the refined scale of 18th-century European tableware, perfect for serving or as a decorative trinket. Established in the Netherlands in the 1750s, the Oud-Loosdrecht factory was a pioneer in Dutch porcelain production, transitioning from traditional Delftware to sophisticated soft-paste porcelain by the late 1770s. This piece hails from their early porcelain phase, showcasing the manufactory's ambition to rival prestigious European centers like Meissen and Sèvres. The hand-painted enamel decoration—depicting three figures gathered beneath a tree—likely draws from pastoral or chinoiserie motifs popular in Rococo-era ceramics, blending whimsy with naturalistic elegance. Artistically, the overglaze painting technique allowed vibrant colors to endure kiln firing, highlighting the factory's technical prowess. Culturally, such objects symbolized emerging Dutch luxury during the Enlightenment, bridging everyday use with artistic expression. A charming survivor of its time, this plate invites us to appreciate the intersection of craft, commerce, and creativity in 18th-century Europe.