Dating delft blue

Over the years, the distinctive blue-and-white Delftware grew in popularity, increasing the amount of antique vases, plates and figurines that may be found across the globe.

It was much admired and Dutch potters wanted to imitate the look, even though they couldn’t recreate true Chinese porcelain.

Potteries in Delft had some success with good quality blue and white glazed earthenware.

After 350 years of production, the Delft company continues to produce hand-painted pieces.

Flip your piece of pottery over to reveal the underside.

In the 1660s, the Dutchman John Ariens van Hamme became one of the first potters to create delftware near Lambeth, England, a region that eventually produced other artists like Michael Edkins, Joseph Flower, and John Bowen.

Dutch potters often used initials and symbols to mark their products, though English factories typically did not.

Tin-glazed, multi-colored earthenware was pioneered in Moorish Spain with the style known as majolica, which was soon copied and spread to other parts of Europe.

Delftware has its origins in Belgium, possibly brought by the descendant of potter Guido Andries, who emigrated to Antwerp from Italy.

This design is common among plates made in the recent century.

Examine the piece for a current marking, mostly used on items during the 21st century.