| So you fancy starting a collection but you're not | | | | scenes of biblical subjects.So now we know that |
| sure what to collect? How About . . . ?Every | | | | we're looking for either Duitch delft or English |
| home will contain at least one example or more - | | | | delft, but it's quite dificult with these early |
| in the kitchen, the bathroom, the fire surround. | | | | examples to determine the place of origin.A few |
| How long have they been in existence and what | | | | tips:Dutch delft often has a gritty texture, thick |
| should we look out for when buying an Old | | | | glaze and 'peppering' on the surface caused by air |
| Tile.When trying to identify an old tile, the most | | | | bubbles exploding during firing.Dutch tiles are |
| difficult aspect is where was it made and | | | | painted in a very assured manner with great skill |
| when.The most famous tiles are referred to as | | | | and expertise.The tin glaze of Dutch tiles is usually |
| delft. But why?The term delft is derived from the | | | | whiter because it contains more tin oxides making |
| dutch town of Delft. The Netherlands began to | | | | it liable to craze.British delftware is typically less |
| produce tin-glazed earthenware in the late 15 | | | | finely potted and the glaze is often tinged with |
| century. Potteries were established in many parts | | | | blue or pink. Colours tend to be more muted due |
| of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, Haarlem and | | | | to the absorbency of the tin glaze used. The |
| Rotterdam, but by the late 17 century Delft had | | | | glaze is much glossier and smoother than Dutch |
| become the most important centre of production | | | | glaze and it does not craze easily.So to sum |
| and nearly 30 companies were working in the | | | | up:Gritty, thich white glaze, very well painted, |
| area.The original delft tile designs came about | | | | crazed ....... Dutch.Smooth, glazed tinged blue or |
| when Chinese porcelain stopped being imported in | | | | pink, muted colours, little crazing .... English.Now all |
| the mid 17 century and the popular Chinese | | | | you have to do is get out there and start looking, |
| wares were reproduced in blue and white. Initially | | | | but beware - lots of reproductions so take time |
| made in blue and white, later in the century the | | | | to do a bit more studying by way of delftware |
| Delft potters introduced a wider variety of | | | | tiles.Also remember, plates, flower bricks, jugs, |
| colours, yellow, purple, blue, red, green and | | | | posset pots, handwarmers, puzzle jugs, char |
| black.Flemish and Dutch potters arrived and | | | | dishes, vases, bowls and beautifully glazed drug |
| settled in London in 1570, but it wasn't until the 18 | | | | jars for use by apothocaries were produced in |
| century that the delftware tile industry became | | | | delftware, but that's another story.We run a small |
| established in Britian. The main centres were | | | | but beautifully formed General Antiques Shop |
| London, Bristol and Liverpool. The tiles usually | | | | which is situated in Kirkby Lonsdale In the |
| depicted flowers, ships, landscapes and many | | | | Yorkshire Dales/Cumbria Border. |