Dutch Delft Polychrome Peacock Vase by De Delftse Pauw

This hand painted vase was made by De Delftse Pauw in Holland, a pottery whose name translates as The Delft Peacock, and sure enough a peacock takes centre stage on the body, its long tail sweeping down in tones of orange, gold and deep blue. Around it bloom full flowers in pink, purple and blue with trailing green foliage, all painted by hand on a white ground with the confident brushwork that makes Dutch polychrome Delft so collectable.

We love how it breaks the mould. Most people picture Delft as blue and white, so a piece in full colour like this always turns heads. The tall bottle form stands 27 x 12 cm, finished with a banded blue collar and rim that frames everything below, and the narrow neck is made for a single stem or a few slender branches. Left empty it holds its own just as well, the painting doing all the talking.

The base carries the painted D.P. mark for De Delftse Pauw, along with the pattern number 57 and the decorator's initials, the sort of detail that lets you trace a piece back to the hand that painted it. Condition is very good with bright, crisp colours, and there is minor crazing to the glaze in keeping with its age, shown closely in the photographs.

A vase like this brings colour and pattern into a room without needing anything to support it. Set it against a pale wall where the blues and golds can glow, group it with other hand painted ceramics for a collected look, or let it stand alone on a hall table as a piece of everyday art. It suits a colourful interior beautifully and gives a plainer one exactly the lift it needs.