GOUDA ROYAL Zuid Holland ASHTRAY 103mm d 1955 RISA PATTERN 3432 WJ FLOWERS FLORAL SMOKERS CIGARETTES

Gouda Ashtray Zuid Holland

1955 - 3432 = WJ.

Gouda Pottery

The numbers at the top and bottom usually (there are exceptions) refer to the model or mould and/or decor/ pattern of the piece. This number was scratched into the clay and was nearly always duplicated by the painter. On the right of the "house" the initials, mark or monogram of the artist, decorator or painter/paintress. To this day, many marks are still unidentified. Incised (scratched on) or impressed marks were usually used to tell the decorator which pattern to paint or perhaps a particular glaze to apply. Other marks could refer to anything - special pieces for exhibitions, export codes, batch numbers, retailers, etc. In some cases employees would take home blank moulds, apply decorations themselves and use unknown (unknown to us today) marks and then sell them. The famous PZH logo, to this day still commonly known as the 'little house' or 'house' and is often referred to as this. It is in fact a representation of the Gate of Lazarus, once the impressive stone doorway of the old leper infirmary (around 1609) in the town of Gouda in Zuid Holland. Later moved, it now forms part of an entrance arch at the Het Catharina Gasthuis Museum (MuseumgoudA) in Gouda.

Dimensions = 103mm diameter x 28mm deep.

Condition = Very Good.