Remarkable: how Delft blue came from Antwerp to Delft
You are very familiar with Delft Blue. This world famous white pottery with blue decorations comes from Delft, of course. Isn’t it? A journalist from Antwerp Today indication us an article stating that Delft Blue originated in Antwerp and may well be Antwerp Blue. We find out what’s going on.
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The article from the Flemish news site is about a collection of 63 porridge bowls that are in the possession of Virgin House Museum in Antwerp. Daniel Christiaens is the curator of this museum. He tells us that the porridge bowls have been official masterpieces of the Flemish Community since 2011.
Bowls decorated with portraits
The bowls are decorated with portraits of men, women and Mary with child. They were probably made in the studio of Michiel Nouts. This pottery maker or pottery maker fled to Delft around 1600 and continued to work there.
Continue reading to the photo >
Antwerp pottery
The connection between Antwerp and Delft Blue has been known for some time. In the sixteenth century there were many pottery bakers in Antwerp. The pottery that is made hot majolica. To make thattin add to the glaze. This gave it a nice white color that could be painted well. This technique originated in the Middle East and came to the north via Italy and Spain. The name majolica comes from the island of Mallorca, which used to carry much of this pottery.
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From Antwerp to Delft
In 1585 Antwerp was confirmed by the Spaniards as a force. Many potters and other artists therefore flee to the Northern Netherlands. Here were located in Gouda, Haarlem, Rotterdam and Delft. There they continue their businesses and share their technique with local pottery makers.
In the beginning it was mainly the pottery bakers in Haarlem that were successful, but in the course of the seventeenth century Delft became important. Around 1700 there were as many as 34 pottery bakeries in Delft whose products were shipped all over the world.
Delft porcelain
The success of the Delft pottery makers is related to the arrival of Chinese porcelain in Europe. Porcelain is made from a different type of clay and remains firmer and more beautiful than pottery. That is why it was in great demand throughout Europe. The Delft pottery bakers did their best to make Chinese with bright white color and beautiful blue versions. They exist in that so well that Delft pottery is also called Delft porcelain was called.
The technique for making Delft blue therefore came to the Netherlands via Antwerp. However, this pottery only became world famous in Delft.