A Delft earthenware pyramid vase acquired by Cleveland

18/7/24 - Acquisition - Cleveland, The Cleveland Museum of Art - The Cleveland Museum of Art’s decorative arts collection has been enriched by a very fine new piece, a large pyramid vase in Delft earthenware (ill. 2) acquired from the Amsterdam gallery Aronson Delftware Antiquairs at the last TEFAF (see article). Known as tulipieres, these monumental vases were used to display a wide variety of flowers, not just tulips, and are among the most prestigious pieces produced in Delft at the end of the 17th century. The example that reaches Cleveland was for many years in Cecil Beaton’s Wiltshire manor in England, before being sold at the artist’s death sale organised by Christies in 1980. After remaining in private hands, the vase recently returned to the auction block, offered for sale by…