Delftware, also called Royal Delft or Delftblue, denotes blue and white pottery made in the Dutch city Delft. The main period of this tin-glaze pottery was 1640 - 1740. Delftware ranged from simple household items to fancy artwork. Delft potters also made tiles in vast numbers ( around eight hundred million in 200 years.)
Chinese porcelain was imported by the VOC (Dutch East India Company) in the 17th century, but when a civil war in China broke the supply line, Delft's factories quickly took over the market. Around 1740 the Delft factories were undercut by the British and the Germans and by the time Napoleon arrived, almost all closed down.
There are still a few factories open to visit, for example "De Delftse Pauw" who can be visited (see opening hours and address).
At todays Delfts Blauw (Delft Blue), the brand name is hand painted on the bottom of ceramic pieces, identifying them as authentic and collectible.
21 March - 31 October:
1 November - 18 March:
Free