Delft Pottery - History and Delft Marks

By Sharon Stajda,

Old Delftware , was made as early as the 16th century. It was originally a low-fired earthenware, that was coated in a very thin opaque tin glaze with painted on blue or polychrome design. It was in the last half of the 19th century that the Delftware became commonly referred to as Delft.

It acquired its name from the Dutch village of the same name, where it was being widely produced.

Germany, England, and France potters also produced Delft, which can be distinguished not only by the difference in shape and design, but the fineness of the porcelain. In the early 18 century , the German potter Bottger, developed a formula for fine porcelain, at the same time England, Wedgewood began producing Creamware . Both more durable than the Dutch Delftware.

Unable to compete with the German, French , and English potters, one by one the Dutch companies closed their doors...

Only one remained, in 1876 De Porcelyne Fles reintroduced Delftware. Which was made of a hard white bodied porcelain, decorated with designs such as windmills, the Dutch countryside or Dutch children.

This manufacture is the most well known of several manufactures that operate today. Their wares are now produced under the well known name,"Royal Delft".