Description
De Drie Astonne (The Three Ash Barrels) was one of the oldest Delft pottery factories. It was owned by Gerrit Kam from 1673 until 1700 before ownership was passed to his son Pieter, who died in 1705. The ‘PK’ mark was first used in 1700 which gives us the approximate date for this pair of vases which were copying imported contemporary Chinese porcelain of the Kangxi period. Though this mark is thought to have been continued by his widow until 1716, the style of the factory had changed. Our vases can be dated to 1700-1705 when the Kangxi figural style was most popular and can be also seen on rare dishes from the De Paauw (The Peacock) factory which was owned by Pieter’s brother David from 1701.
The compressed baluster shape of these vases is unique to the Kam factory, as are the domed covers which are sadly missing from this pair.
Clearly marked underneath in blue PK, the vases also have labels and inventory details for the well known antique dealers AC Beeling of Leeuwarden. The business was founded in 1864 and became most well known for their expertise in Chinese ceramics and Dutch silver as well as Dutch decorative arts of the 17th and 18th century. In 1939 were granted the Royal warrant for supplying works of art to the Dutch Royal family
