The tin glazed earthenware plate commemorating the death of Cornelis Lely , Dutch engineer and politician. He oversaw the passage of an act of parliament authorising construction of the Zuiderzee Works, a huge project – designed to his own plans – that turned the Zuiderzee into a lake (IJsselmeer) and made possible the conversion of a vast area of former seabed into dry land. The center of the plate decorated in shades of blue with Dutch lion within the open fence and in the back the map / chart of the Zuiderzee surrounded with floral swags. The border with the text:
In Holland’s tuin de Leeuw nog staat - Bewonderend Lely’s groote daad.
Signed on the back in underglaze blue for:
DE PORCELEYNE FLES - ROYAL DELFT
DELFT - HOLLAND & AY = 1929
Two painters worked on this plate
Painter’s initials: VB = Willem Alexander Karel Hendrik Frederik van Baarsel.
Employment dates: June 30th 1893 - 1948.
Painter’s initials: JM = J.C.W. Marijnissen.
Employment dates:1920-1958.
Diam.: 18,5 cm. (7,3 inches.)
Weight: 273 grams.