Pair Antique Dutch Delft Cows Hand Painted in Polychrome Colors Circa 1780
Pair Antique Dutch Delft Cows Hand Painted in Polychrome Colors Circa 1780 - Image 2
Pair Antique Dutch Delft Cows Hand Painted in Polychrome Colors Circa 1780 - Image 3
Pair Antique Dutch Delft Cows Hand Painted in Polychrome Colors Circa 1780 - Image 4
Pair Antique Dutch Delft Cows Hand Painted in Polychrome Colors Circa 1780 - Image 5
Pair Antique Dutch Delft Cows Hand Painted in Polychrome Colors Circa 1780 - Image 6
Pair Antique Dutch Delft Cows Hand Painted in Polychrome Colors Circa 1780 - Image 7
Pair Antique Dutch Delft Cows Hand Painted in Polychrome Colors Circa 1780 - Image 8

Pair Antique Dutch Delft Cows Hand Painted in Polychrome Colors Circa 1780

$1,200.00

This charming pair of small Dutch Delft cows was made in Holland circa 1770 and hand-painted in the delicate Petit Feu palette.
Each cow is modeled in a recumbent pose with an expressive face, brown forelock, painted eyes, horns, tail, and lively spotted hide. Around each neck is a garland of hand-painted flowers, while a large floral spray extends across the back.
The Petit Feu decoration allows for a broader range of enamel colors than traditional high-fired Delft, including soft greens, reds, yellows, browns, and blue. The colors remain especially vibrant on this pair.

Both figures rest on grassy green bases shaped to their forms. The sides of the bases are individually decorated with colorful marbleized and striped ornament, adding to the character of each cow.

Delft cows were traditionally made in facing pairs and were often decorated with flowers and garlands. Their imagery has been associated with the Dutch tradition of decorating prized cattle with flowers and ribbons for festive processions.

The small scale, expressive modeling, colorful Petit Feu decoration, and complementary differences between the two figures give this pair considerable charm and make them especially appealing for display on a mantel, shelf, or tabletop.
Comparable 18th-century Petit Feu Delft cows are discussed by Aronson Antiquairs
Dimensions: Each is approximately 3 inches tall x 3.5 inches across the base
Condition: Excellent, with small chips to the ears invisibly restored
Decoration: Hand-painted polychrome Petit Feu enamels with floral garlands, floral sprays, and decorated bases
Material: Tin-glazed Delft earthenware
Style: Dutch Delft polychrome figural pottery
Origin: Holland
Date: Circa 1770

In stock

Background of Delft Cows

In the seventeenth century, the butchers’ guild held an annual parade with prize-winning cows and bulls lavishly adorned with flowers, floral wreaths, and gilded horns. The potters of Delft began making cows painted with floral wreaths, just like those seen in the parade. Between 1740 and 1790, Delft cows were produced by many of the factories in Delft.

Background of Petit Feu colors

Japanese Imari porcelains reached the Netherlands in the mid-17th century. They became very popular and inspired Delft potters to emulate their colorful designs. In particular, Delft potters began experimenting with various color and firing techniques to achieve the Japanese style. The low-temperature firing of enamel colors (petit feu) was one technique that allowed Delft potters to expand their color palette. This technique was first used at the beginning of the 18th century. It requires three firings, allowing the potter to use colors that could not withstand the high temperatures in the kiln during the second firing (grand feu). With the low-temperature colors on top of the glaze, the objects were fired again at a lower temperature. “For more information on Petit Feu Delftware, see {Decorations in “Petit Feu” Colors} by Aronson Antiquairs.

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