Two Rectangular Blue and White Bottles, Delft, circa 1685. Each marked SVE 19 in blue for Samuel van Eenhoorn, the owner of De Grieksche A (The Greek A) factory from 1678 to 1686. POR (Object no. 2519) © Aronson Antiquairs 

These two remarkable rectangular blue and white bottles, crafted in Delft around 1685, stand as elegant examples of the refinement and artistry of Dutch Delftware. Each is marked SVE 19 for Samuel van Eenhoorn, the esteemed owner of De Grieksche A (The Greek A) factory, and exquisitely painted on all sides with chinoiserie figures and attendants in a serene, hilly landscape. Their intricate decoration is further enriched by an elaborate monogram beneath a jeweled coronet, framed by love-knots and delicate floral panels.

While often described as tea canisters, their form closely resembles European glass liquor bottles, a shape also seen in early 17th-century Chinese export porcelain. Archival records of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) reveal that such bottles were used to store distilled waters, syrups, or even dry tea leaves, reflecting the luxurious and refined rituals of the time. Whether for tea, spirits, or confections, these Delftware masterpieces embody the fusion of European and Asian influences that defined the Golden Age of Dutch craftsmanship.