Delftware, or Delft pottery is a famous type of pottery made in the Dutch city of Delft. The first factories started operating in the 16th century and gained fame in the 17th and 18th centuries, mainly because of the high quality pieces resembling Chinese porcelain. At the time, true porcelain was very expensive and supply had abruptly stopped due to the death of the Chinese Emperor. The white
. tin-glazed pieces with cobalt blue drawings were an affordable substitute. Although not porcelain as such, this type of pottery became known as Dutch china.Traditional Delft pottery is also available in many other colors, but the most recognizable pieces have only a white glaze and blue paint, and are known as Delft Blue. Delftware exists in the form of tiles, plates and other types of objects such flasks and bottles. With the exception of tiles, most other pieces have factory markings that usually found in the bottom the pieces. This marking identifies both the factory that produced the piece and the artist that painted it. Most of these traditional makings are monograms or old brewery signs. This last type of marks is explained because many breweries started producing pottery in the 17th century. These marks are a valuable resource to help date and appraise Delft pottery. A list of famous Delft pottery markings can be found at http://antique-trails.com/2009/pottery-porcelain-and-china/delft/delft-potters-and-their-marks-1649-to-1662/Today, only a handful of factories produce original and certified Delftware pieces. Keeping the tradition, these have also factory markings, with additional codes corresponding to specific production dates and artists. The most famous marking of modern Delft pieces is a small blue flask symbol, known as the "De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles", of the Royal Delft pieces. Most of the pieces produced today are faithful reproductions of antiques from the 17th and 18th centuries, the golden age of Delft pottery.More reference links: http://antique-trails.com/2009/pottery-porcelain-and-china/delft/delft-potters-and-their-marks-1649-to-1662/ http://www.bluedelft.com/inandvaldel.html
