A pair of cut crystal lidded jars, also known as ginger jars. The jars stand upon a round, profiled foot that extends upwards towards a ring that serves as the basis for the bowl. The jars are entirely decorated with a cut diamond pattern; this pattern also features on the lids, which are crowned with a cut pinecone.
These jars were used to hold candied ginger. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) shipped ginger to Western Europe, where it was a popular delicacy often consumed after a meal. As it did not grow in our climate, it was imported in both powdered and candied form from the Orient. VOC cargo manifests from the eighteenth century show that the majority of ships carrying candied ginger departed from Batavia, sailing for Dutch ports including Veere, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Hoorn and Delft.
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