Gouda pottery, vase model 304, possibly experimental, by Theo Verstraaten

Description

This vase was made by the Dutch pottery company Zuid-Holland from Gouda between 1901 and 1908. The vase is painted with a typical Gouda design and is clearly signed by Theo Verstraaten. This is model 304 of 32 cm or 12.6 inch high. Verstraaten began his career at Rozenburg, worked in Purmerend at the Brantjes company, and in 1901 joined Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland in Gouda. There, Verstraaten worked primarily as a designer, developing various decors. He was probably the designer of the typical floral Gouda decor, of which this vase is a good example. Yet, there is something special about this vase. The object suggests it was an experiment. Firstly, the vase is not marked with the factory name and logo. However, the model number is incised on the bottom (as with most Zuid-Holland Gouda objects), as is Verstraaten’s signature: TV (in his own handwriting). Secondly, the vase has a striking light blue colour, which not only rarely occurs on early Gouda pottery, but the blue paint has also created a very coarse, bumpy, and irregular surface in the glaze. This is particularly noticeable at the neck, where the light blue areas are larger. The very thin light blue lines at the foot of the vase also feel like sandpaper. The suspicion is that this is an experiment from Theo Verstraaten’s Gouda studio. Verstraaten may have wanted to test a new paint and the reaction of this pigment with the lead glaze. Or it was a glaze experiment. But perhaps the rough surface was intentional; we’ll never know for sure. Failed or not, Theo Verstraaten vases are highly sought after by collectors, and this is an extremely interesting piece of pottery history. The vase is in excellent condition.

This vase is not for sale.