This week we are sharing a collection of nice Dutch pottery from Gouda, the inland city in the Netherlands. I have always liked these hand-painted ceramics, especially those Art Nouveau pieces which seem to be inspired from Oriental ceramics (in this case, pottery and tiles from the Near East: Persia and the Arab lands). Such "exotic" ceramics, made in Holland, would be more accessible and less costly to middle class consumers in Europe. While the carriage trade could afford real Persian ceramics (or, better yet, vases from China or Japan), working people—desiring a little taste of Orientalism—could better afford something less rare, made closer to home.
The genie bottle, shown above, has the feeling of Persian ceramics work—with the inclusion of Holland's iconic tulip flower (which, it must be added, is originally from Persia). Little hand-painted circles with dots create an Art Nouveau pattern, like an Arts & Crafts wallpaper. Even the corseted, long-necked form tips its hat to Middle Eastern design. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248