A Joyful Pair: Delft’s Budai Heshang Flower Holders, circa 1700

Discover the story behind this rare and captivating pair of blue and white Budai Heshang flower holders, made in Delft around 1700 at the famed De Metaale Pot factory. Inspired by the “Laughing Buddha” of Chinese tradition, these figures blend Eastern symbolism with Dutch artistry, turning a joyful icon into a whimsical yet functional vessel. Learn how Delft potters reimagined foreign forms for a sophisticated European audience and why their charm endures over 300 years later.