Garnitures consisting of three, five, or seven vases were made for decorative purposes to be placed on top of cabinets and mantelpieces, and a garniture of large vases might even have stood in front of the fireplace during the summer months. This five-piece group is composed of a covered vase, two double gourd vases, and two beakers. The middle section on all five is painted in blue on a white ground with scattered clusters of spring flowers that seem random but are in fact carefully placed to form different diaper patterns. The borders at the bases of the vases are decorated with scrollwork and floral and leaf ornament reserved on a dark blue ground. Under the lip of the beakers and at the shoulders of the vases, similarly painted in reserve, are lambrequin motifs enclosing fruit bowls. As one would expect from De Metaale Pot, one of the leading factories in Delft, both the potting and the quality of the glaze on these vessels are outstanding. Established in 1670 by Willem Cleffius, De Metaale Pot continued under several owners until sometime between 1771 and 1775. The factory produced its most brilliant work between 1691 and 1724, under the ownership of Lambertus van Eenhoorn (1651-1721) and then his widow, Margaretha Teckmann.
