Leaf Plate, decor ‘Bladeren’, Zuid-Holland, Gouda

This absolutely stunning deep plate, produced in 1924 by the Zuid-Holland factory in Gouda, decor ‘bladeren’, reflects the refined artistry of one of the leading makers of matte-glazed ceramics in the early 20th century. The design features a matte decoration of grapes and leaves in rich brown tones accented with electric blue. The leaves were painted over the glaze, creating a subtle raised texture that brings the motif to life when touched. From 1908 onward, N.V. Koninklijke Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland developed its distinctive matte glaze known as matt plateel. Presented at the Leipzig Fair in 1910 and the San Francisco World’s Fair in 1915, these designs were inspired by ancient Greek and Persian ornament and often given evocative names such as Rhodian, Damascus, Salak, and Purdah. Matt Plateel represented a shift away from the flowing lines of Art Nouveau, mirroring the changing artistic sensibilities of the early 20th century. This example has survived in excellent condition—remarkably well-preserved after more than a century.