A Dutch Delft pair of milkers, Anthonie Pennis factory of 'de twee scheepjes', circa 1760-70

Modelled as a lady and a boy, each seated on a narrow stool, a bucket between their feet, each milking a cow decorated with ornate floral wreaths around their necks and over their backs, the naturalistic base with moulded naturalistic elements and frogs, 16.5cm high, small AP mark in red to the base (one ear on each cow and one horn on each cow with restoration) (2)

Cows dressed in garlands of flowers is a custom now associated mostly with the East of Switzerland and Austria but was also a 16th century Dutch custom of thanksgiving coinciding with the nameday of the Saint protecting the Butcher's Guild, Saint Luke (18 October). On this day, Dutch oxes were dressed in floral garlands and paraded before slaughter. Although this custom does not exist anymore, it can be found in many representations of 18th century Dutch Delftware cows.

The history of the factory of 'De Twee Scheepjes' factory (the two ships) reaches into the 17th century. In 1750 however, Jan Pennis, owner of De Porceleyne Schotel factory, purchased De Twee Scheepjes factory for his son Anthonis Pennis who started work there that same year after receiving his master's title. In 1764, Anthonis registered his AP factory mark. Anthonis Pennis was an active man; not only was he the head of the Guild of St. Luke several times, he was also the captain of a company gunmen. For further reading see: Aronson, 'The Delft Potters in the Guild of Saint Luke'(https://www.aronson.com/the-delft-potters-guild-st-luke/).