Delftware

Delftware, or Delft pottery, denotes blue and white pottery made in and around Delft in the Netherlands and the tin-glazed pottery made in the Netherlands from the 16th century. Delftware in the latter sense is a type of pottery in which a white glaze is applied, usually decorated with metal oxides. Delftware includes pottery objects of all descriptions such as plates, ornaments and tiles.

At the end of the 16th century tradesmen of the Dutch East India Company imported large quantities of Chinese porcelain. This typical white porcelain with blue decorations became very popular among the rich in Europe and in the beginning of the 17th century some potters started to imitate this technique. Soon a large number of factories were founded mainly in Delft and Rotterdam producing large quantities of vases, plates and of course tiles. Initially they copied the oriental decorations but later designed their own scenes with flowers and Dutch landscapes. The tiles were used to decorate the walls and served as isolation to keep moisture outside.