Most of the scenes upon them were copied from
the landscapes the Dutch saw every day--windmills, ships, Dutch women
in their quaint costumes, fishermen, and children in wooden
shoes,--the ordinary sights, such as were common in Holland, but novel
and interesting to those who lived in other places. There were, too,
many imitations of Chinese ware adorned with copies of Chinese
designs. Bear in mind, Theo, that all of this was pottery, not
porcelain; for the secret of porcelain-making had not yet been
fathomed," said Mr. Croyden impressively.
"It was glazed pottery," responded Theo.
"Exactly," nodded Mr. Croyden. "As time went on the Dutch increased
and perfected their output until they became ambitious to make larger
pieces. Potters began turning out small foot-stoves, vases,
candlesticks, and dinner sets. One of the most amusing relics of this
old Delft is now in one of the foreign museums. It is a violin
perfectly modeled and exquisitely decorated. The story goes that it
was one of four such instruments which were made as wedding gifts for
the four daughters of a rich Dutch pottery manufacturer. It is even
asserted that the instruments before being presented to the four
brides were used by the musicians at the wedding festivities.
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