Antique Delft and Very Collectible Tiles and Ceramics: Beginners Start Here

So you fancy starting a collection but you're not sure what to collect? How About . . . ?

Every home will contain at least one example or more - in the kitchen, the bathroom, the fire surround. How long have they been in existence and what should we look out for when buying an Old Tile.

When trying to identify an old tile, the most difficult aspect is where was it made and when.

The most famous tiles are referred to as delft. But why?

The term delft is derived from the dutch town of Delft. The Netherlands began to produce tin-glazed earthenware in the late 15 century. Potteries were established in many parts of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, Haarlem and Rotterdam, but by the late 17 century Delft had become the most important centre of production and nearly 30 companies were working in the area.

The original delft tile designs came about when Chinese porcelain stopped being imported in the mid 17 century and the popular Chinese wares were reproduced in blue and white. Initially made in blue and white, later in the century the Delft potters introduced a wider variety of colours, yellow, purple, blue, red, green and black.

Flemish and Dutch potters arrived and settled in London in 1570, but it wasn't until the 18 century that the delftware tile industry became established in Britian. The main centres were London, Bristol and Liverpool. The tiles usually depicted flowers, ships, landscapes and many scenes of biblical subjects.

So now we know that we're looking for either Duitch delft or English delft, but it's quite dificult with these early examples to determine the place of origin.

A few tips:

Dutch delft often has a gritty texture, thick glaze and 'peppering' on the surface caused by air bubbles exploding during firing.

Dutch tiles are painted in a very assured manner with great skill and expertise.

The tin glaze of Dutch tiles is usually whiter because it contains more tin oxides making it liable to craze.

British delftware is typically less finely potted and the glaze is often tinged with blue or pink. Colours tend to be more muted due to the absorbency of the tin glaze used. The glaze is much glossier and smoother than Dutch glaze and it does not craze easily.

So to sum up:

Gritty, thich white glaze, very well painted, crazed ....... Dutch.

Smooth, glazed tinged blue or pink, muted colours, little crazing .... English.

Now all you have to do is get out there and start looking, but beware - lots of reproductions so take time to do a bit more studying by way of delftware tiles.

Also remember, plates, flower bricks, jugs, posset pots, handwarmers, puzzle jugs, char dishes, vases, bowls and beautifully glazed drug jars for use by apothocaries were produced in delftware, but that's another story.

We run a small but beautifully formed General Antiques Shop which is situated in Kirkby Lonsdale In the Yorkshire Dales/Cumbria Border. http://www.architus.com

---

Weaving Photographs and the Use of a Collage to Give Your Scrapbooks Artistic Flare

For more dramatic results from your photographs, trying weaving two... Read More

Be Your Own Way, but Still Use the Safe Tools

It is so often that people are not aware with... Read More

Amish Quilts ? A Dying American Art

Amish quilting has been a tradition for more than a... Read More

Origami Instructions

Origami is a fantastic art form that guarantees hours of... Read More

Tracing Your Family History

Let me say straight away that tracing your family ancestry... Read More

Creating Vacation Memories

My daughter and I recently had the opportunity to spend... Read More

How to Make a Simple Gemstone Necklace

With gemstone beads, every bead is precious. Every bead is... Read More

Depression Glass Companies

Just before the advent of the Great Depression, more than... Read More

Jewelry and the Art of Selling

Two of the most frequently asked questions we get at... Read More

How to Make Your Own Soap Favors for Weddings and Baby Showers

Want to make soap as a gift for your party... Read More

Why Do You Need to Have Your Tools Blade Sharpen After Work

If you like to do wood carving or making sculpture... Read More

Jewelry Making: Measuring for Bracelets Without a Tape

Your cousin's friend in Saskatchewan has asked you to design... Read More

Craft Fairs, Bazaars & Flea Markets?Oh, My!

Many names are associated with events such as these. Craft... Read More

Saltwater Coral Reef Aquariums - 5 Tips for Success

Do you dream of watching the natural beauty of the... Read More

Sewing A Button On By Hand

I have so many people come into my shop saying... Read More

Scrapbooking Tips And Tricks For Photos And Images

When you're incorporating pictures of any kind into your scrap... Read More

Diecast Collectibles: The Collectors? Guide to Making a Profit

Millions of people have made a hobby of collecting items... Read More

Scrapbooking Ideas for Kids

Many times at auctions, or estate sales, a box of... Read More

Antique Delft and Very Collectible Tiles and Ceramics: Beginners Start Here

So you fancy starting a collection but you're not sure... Read More

A Few Tips About Comic Book Backing Boards

Comic Book Backing Boards come in different thicknesses and acid-free... Read More

A Look At Cigar Humidors

Cigar humidors are storage units designed to hold, preserve and... Read More

Five Ways To Find New Markets for Your Dog and Cat Art

As you create your dog and cat art, you will... Read More

Kona Cotton: The Quilters & Embroiderers Dream Fabric

What, Exactly, Is Kona Cotton? Kona(R) cotton is a premium,... Read More

The Nuts and Bolts of Vintage Tin Toys

Before Game Boy and Play Station, there were tin toys.... Read More

50 Ways to Use Your Ribbon for Scrapbooking, Home Decor, Crafting and Fashion

Scrapbooking:Tie onto a tag, photo mat, border, or photo as... Read More

The Leather Look, Accents, and Punching for Your Scrapbook

A leather look can add elegance to your scrapbooking page.To... Read More

Origami Secrets Revealed

Origami, or the art of paper folding, has been around... Read More

Using Your Dogs Hair

Dog hair (called chiengora)can be spun into yarn, much like... Read More

Candle Maintenance

Many people don't know that you can actually improve the... Read More

A Look at Cloisonné Lapel Pins

Cloisonné lapel pins are the most traditional, if not the... Read More

What is a Battle Ready Sword?

You'd think that the term "battle ready sword" would be... Read More

How to Use Feathers and Dried Flowers to Give Your Scrapbooks an Artistic Feel

Feathers make exotic and interesting embellishments and borders. Feathers add... Read More

History of Kokeshi Wooden Dolls from Japan

Little is known of the early history of Kokeshi Japanese... Read More