Fine Art

Chest with nine porcelain bottles — History & Facts

The Dutch East India Company maintained good relations with Asian rulers. To promote their commercial interests, they greased palms with presents: globes, paintings, animals, and chests with bottles, like this one. The expensive aromatic oils in the bottles were the actual gift.

The bottles were ordered in Japan and the chest was custommade by joiners in Batavia.

More Artworks by Unknown Artist

Browse all →

More Decorative Art Art

Browse all →