Three Dutch Delftware pears

These charming Delftware pears consist of a pair on a white background and a single model on a green background. These pieces were made to imitate their real counterparts, which is evident from their shape and color. Their naturalistic appearance was meant to create a so called ‘tromp l’oeil’ or ‘trick of the eye’ effect, this humorous approach to art was a popular phenomenon in the art of the 18^th century.  We can see the effect particularly well on the single pear, which is adorned with a painted fruit fly.

Similar pieces Delftware exist in the form of other fruits as well, such as grapes or apples. It is possible they were used to adorn the dinner table during the time of year were the real fruits were not in season. In  a publication by Musées royaux d’Art et d’Histoire the Delftware fruits are arranged in the shape of a garland. This supports the existing thesis that the objects were modeled after woodcarvings of garlands.