In-depth Articles

An impressive large Delft plaque in the Aronson collection shows the Twelfth Siege of Gibraltar, an historic event between a Spanish-French fleet and combined Anglo-Dutch forces in 1704-1705 (Fig. 1).  The scene is rather remarkable, because despite the triumph of the Anglo-Dutch fleet, the Dutch Republic suffered a humiliating end. This article explores the historical…

The emergence of tea and coffee culture in the Dutch Republic led to a notable expansion in the diversity of household goods. The increasing popularity of these beverages presented lucrative opportunities for manufacturers of related objects.(1) While beverages like beer, spirits, water, or wine merely required a bottle or jug and glasses for consumption, coffee-…

In 1658 'De Grieksche A' (The Greek A) transformed from a beer brewery into a pottery factory, retaining its name and flourishing into one of the most successful potteries in Delft. Under various skilled and innovative owners, the factory produced high-quality Delftware well into the last quarter of the eighteenth century. Its success is underscored…

Preserving History: Van Speyk's Portrait on a Delft Dish On February 5, 1831, now 193 years ago, Dutch naval history was made when hero Jan C. J. van Speyk detonated his own ship. As we approach the anniversary, it's an opportune time to share this narrative, which is greatly illustrated by a Delft faience commemorative…

Delft Faience Horses as Art and Symbol Horses have forged a unique and enduring connecting with humans due to their  remarkable blend of intelligence, elegance, and strength. Initially hunted, the horse earned admiration, prompting humans to recognize their utility. Over time, horses became invaluable as diligent workers, a source of pleasure in sports, and even…

Dutch seaborne trade and the spread of Delft faience in the Baltic region   (Fig. 1) Tulipière, Delft, circa 1690, marked AK for Adrianus Kocx, owner of 'De Grieksche A' (The Greek A) from 1686 until 1701, Collection of Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg, Inv. nr. Inv. nr 1891-282   The mother of…

The leading Ladies of the Delft pottery industry in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries Based on sixteenth and seventeenth century travel reports, Dutch women were bossy, decisive, dominant, imperious, and exceptionally clean.(1) While these claims were likely exaggerated, they would have stemmed from the astonishment over the extensive freedom enjoyed by Dutch women compared their…

We recently acquired a very rare, large Delft tureen with cover and stand. The stand and body are decorated in monochrome manganese, and the cover with a green and ochre knop. Traditionally, research has favored the origins of Blue and White Delftware, Imari- and Cashmere palettes, White Delft and objects decorated with Petit-Feu colors. However,…

Attributing marks to the Witte Ster (the White Star) factory and in particular to specific persons, has been difficult over the years due to limited archival material. Henry Havard, a French art critic and researcher made the first attempt to attribute marks when he produced a catalogue for the Delftware collection of the famous Dutch…

Natural disasters have wreaked havoc on civilizations throughout time. The effects of devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria are still felt today. On a smaller scale, a recent earthquakes in the Dutch province of Groningen was very impactful for the people involved. Although rare, several earthquakes were reported in Western Europe in the seventeenth century.…