Delftware is a type of tin-glazed earthenware, known as maiolica in Italy and faience in France. After an initial firing, the items are coated with an opaque white enamel, on which designs are painted, followed by a further firing.

It was first developed in the 9th century in Iraq and spread to Spain and Italy in the Middle Ages. In the 16th century Italian potters introduced the technique to France and also to Antwerp in Belgium. From there it made its way to Holland, England and north Germany. In England it was known as galleyware, a term used until well into the 18th century, when it became known as delftware, reflecting the fact that by then the Dutch town of Delft had become the most important centre of production in Europe.

Manufacture of tin-glazed earthenware in England began with the arrival in 1567 of two Flemish potters, who more...

63 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Delft, Water Jar, 1696, wheel-thrown earthenware, flattened…

Delft Water Jar, 1696: Lady with Acanthus Leaves

Delft, Water Jar, 1696, wheel-thrown earthenware, flattened front and back, the sides with several handles for attaching rope, white tin glaze with blue oxide decoration, the front of a lady surrounded by a border of acanthus leaves, the back with a…

A Delft blue & white musical windmill, height 24 cm

Delft Blue Musical Windmill - 24cm

A Delft blue & white musical windmill, height 24 cm

Five Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 2,…

Set of 5 KLM Delft Blue & White Miniature Houses

Five Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 2, 28, 54, 68 & 76, height 10 cm to 12 cm

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 40,…

Set of Four Delft KLM Miniature Blue & White Houses

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 40, 43, 59, 72, height 10 cm to 12 cm

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 13,…

Set of Four Delft KLM Bols Miniature Houses

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 13, 15, 54 & 69, height 10 cm to 12 cm

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 24,…

Set of Four KLM Delft Blue & White Miniature Houses

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 24, 60, 75 & 77, height 10 cm to 12 cm

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 14,…

Set of 4 KLM Delft Blue Miniature Houses

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 14, 50, 33 & 72, height 10 cm to 12 cm

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 23,…

Set of 4 KLM Delft Blue Houses

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 23, 46, 52 & 67, height 10 cm to 12 cm

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 8,…

Set of Four Delft KLM Bols Miniature Houses

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 8, 18, 20 & 74, height 10 cm to 12 cm

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 12,…

Set of Four Delft KLM Bols Miniature Houses

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 12, 22, 61 & 78, height 10 cm to 12 cm

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 3,…

Set of Four Delft KLM Bols Miniature Houses

Four Delft Klm Bols miniature blue & white houses, including 3, 17, 47 & 66, height 10 cm to 12 cm

Two Delft ceramic blue and white wall plaques both decorated…

Delft Blue & White Wall Plaques, Traditional Scenes, 45cm Height

Two Delft ceramic blue and white wall plaques both decorated with traditional scenes, height 45 cm.

A pair of 'Heart' drop earrings, and a pair of filigree and…

Heart Drop Earrings and Delft Cufflinks Set

A pair of 'Heart' drop earrings, and a pair of filigree and Delft pottery cufflinks.

A pair of blue Delft Klm Houses, height 10 cm

Blue Delft KLM Houses - 10cm Height Pair

A pair of blue Delft Klm Houses, height 10 cm

Tin glaze lidded Delft jar 26.5 cm high.

Tall Delft Jar with Lid and Tin Glaze

Tin glaze lidded Delft jar 26.5 cm high.

A collection of ceramics including a Delft jug

Delft Jug and Ceramic Collection

A collection of ceramics including a Delft jug

Group nine Delft KLM house form bottles each i/n form of a…

Miniature Dutch Houses: KLM Bottle Collection

Group nine Delft KLM house form bottles each i/n form of a traditional Dutch house, each bottle marked to base, height 10 cm each.

A Delft panel decorated with a river scene, 19th century 39 cm…

19th Century Delft River Scene Panel

A Delft panel decorated with a river scene, 19th century 39 cm long, 32 cm wide

A Dutch delft blue and white cornucopia wall pocket, 19th…

Dutch Delft Blue Cornucopia Wall Pocket, 19th Century

A Dutch delft blue and white cornucopia wall pocket, 19th century, showing a bucolic provincial scene, with a pierced rim, 24 cm long. Provenance: The Collection of the late Bjarne Nielsen

A Dutch delft blue and white porcelain panel, 19th century,…

Dutch Delft Blue Porcelain Tavern Scene Panel

A Dutch delft blue and white porcelain panel, 19th century, Painted with a scene of figures in a tavern, monogram AP to the reverse, within a carved oak frame, the panel 23 x 31.5 cm. Provenance: The Collection of the late Bjarne Nielsen

A Dutch delft blue and white tobacco jar, 18th century, 27.5 cm…

18th Century Dutch Delft Tobacco Jar from Nielsen Collection

A Dutch delft blue and white tobacco jar, 18th century, 27.5 cm high. Provenance: The Collection of the late Bjarne Nielsen

A Dutch delft blue and white quatrefoil wall plaque, mid 18th…

18th Century Delft Blue Courting Couple Wall Plaque

A Dutch delft blue and white quatrefoil wall plaque, mid 18th century, with a central scene of a courting couple, 27 cm long. Note: For a similar example see Christie's Pictorial History of European Pottery, by H. Morley-Fletcher and R. McIlroy, Phaidon,…

A Dutch delft polychrome and blue and white quatrefoil wall…

18th Century Dutch Delft Polychrome Wall Plaque

A Dutch delft polychrome and blue and white quatrefoil wall plaque, 18th century, painted with a Chinese hunting scene, 25 cm wide. Provenance: The Collection of the late Bjarne Nielsen

A Dutch delft polychrome figure of a horse, first half 18th…

Dutch Delft Polychrome Horse Figure, 18th Century

A Dutch delft polychrome figure of a horse, first half 18th century, 17 cm high. Note: For a similar example see Christie's Pictorial History of European Pottery, by H. Morley-Fletcher and R. McIlroy, Phaidon, 1984, p.217., no 8. Provenance: The…

A Dutch delft figure of a dog, 18th century, 4 cm high,.…

18th Century Dutch Delft Dog Figure

A Dutch delft figure of a dog, 18th century, 4 cm high,. Provenance: Guest & Gray, London. Provenance: The Collection of the late Bjarne Nielsen

A large Dutch delft blue and white jar and cover, 19th century,…

19th Century Dutch Delft Jar with Figural Landscape Cartouche

A large Dutch delft blue and white jar and cover, 19th century, figural landscape cartouche, 50.5 cm high. Provenance: The Collection of the late Bjarne Nielsen

A Dutch delft figure of a recumbent cow, second half 18th…

Dutch Delft Recumbent Cow Figure, 18th Century

A Dutch delft figure of a recumbent cow, second half 18th century, 8.5 cm high. Note: For a similar example see Christie's Pictorial History of European Pottery, by H. Morley-Fletcher and R. McIlroy, Phaidon, 1984, p.219., no 7. Provenance: The…

A Dutch delft tray, 18th century, painted with a seaside…

18th Century Dutch Delft Seaside Village Tray

A Dutch delft tray, 18th century, painted with a seaside village scene within scrolling foliate borders, 21 cm long. Provenance: The Collection of the late Bjarne Nielsen

A small Dutch delft jug, 18th century, decorated with foliate…

18th Century Dutch Delft Jug with Foliate Banding

A small Dutch delft jug, 18th century, decorated with foliate banding, 11 cm high. Provenance: The Collection of the late Bjarne Nielsen

A Dutch delft salt stand, 18th century, 5.5 cm high. Provenance:…

18th Century Dutch Delft Salt Stand from Nielsen Collection

A Dutch delft salt stand, 18th century, 5.5 cm high. Provenance: The Collection of the late Bjarne Nielsen

A Dutch delft figure of a leopard, 18th century, 4.5 cm high,.…

18th Century Dutch Delft Leopard Figure

A Dutch delft figure of a leopard, 18th century, 4.5 cm high,. Provenance: Guest & Gray, London. Provenance: The Collection of the late Bjarne Nielsen

Makkum Tichelaar pair of Dutch Delft wall plaques, 19th century,…

Makkum Delft Wall Plaques, 19th Century

Makkum Tichelaar pair of Dutch Delft wall plaques, 19th century, signed 'Makkum' with monogram, 36 cm high

Rare English Delft ' Frog' mug blue and white figure decoration…

Blue and White Frog Mug, English Delft, 1820

Rare English Delft ' Frog' mug blue and white figure decoration to exterior, frog figure to interior, circa 1820, height 10 cm.

Eight large Delft tankards, white with blue & white patterns

Blue & White Delft Tankard Collection

Eight large Delft tankards, white with blue & white patterns

Four Delft tankards

Delft Tankard Quartet

Four Delft tankards

Wonderful Delft tea caddy, of square form, with cylindrical…

Delft Tea Caddy with Floral and Boat Motifs

Wonderful Delft tea caddy, of square form, with cylindrical cover, the sides decorated with roundels displaying flowers and sailing boats, accented with floral sprays, height 12 cm

An 18th century Delft jug converted to lamp base 60 cm high, 30…

18th Century Delft Jug Lamp Base

An 18th century Delft jug converted to lamp base 60 cm high, 30 cm (with shade)

Graduated pair 19th century European Delft water vessels,…

19th Century Delft Water Vessels with Blue Decorations

Graduated pair 19th century European Delft water vessels, fluted ovoid bodies with mask spouts, traditional blue decorations (some faults), 33 cm, 27 cm heights

A Royal Interocean lines Delft Stein, 'Straat AfricAusatralia…

Royal Interocean Delft Stein - Straat AfricAusatralia Hatchway

A Royal Interocean lines Delft Stein, 'Straat AfricAusatralia down the hatch ? the Royal Way!'. Height 17 cm.

A Dutch Delft Ware blue and white flower brick, 18th century,…

18th Century Dutch Delft Ware Flower Brick

A Dutch Delft Ware blue and white flower brick, 18th century, rectangular, the top with a central larger square opening flanked by groups of six smaller holes, 9 cm high, 15 cm wide, 6 cm deep,

Delft, two blue and white porcelain lamps, each decorated with…

Delft porcelain lamps with floral decoration

Delft, two blue and white porcelain lamps, each decorated with flowers and foliage, signed (2), height 38 cm, 47 cm. Provenance: The Estate of Neville Grace, Sydney

Pair Delft storage vessels Circa 1700-1720 blue and white…

Blue and White Delft Storage Vessels with Heraldic Lions

Pair Delft storage vessels Circa 1700-1720 blue and white 'fluting and folding' with a blend of Oriental and Dutch decoration, lids are surmounted by a pair of heraldic lions found in both the Dutch and English coat of arms, hallmark in underglaze blue to…

Boxed display of seven vintage smoking pipes one carved as a…

Vintage Smoking Pipes Displayed: Carved Birds, Gents, and Delft

Boxed display of seven vintage smoking pipes one carved as a bird, another as a gents head, a Dutch Delft pipe etc

Circa C18/19th Dutch Delft flower brick underglaze blue Fenced…

Dutch Delft Flower Brick with Fenced Garden (Faults)

Circa C18/19th Dutch Delft flower brick underglaze blue Fenced garden (faults)

A Delft tin glazed lamp base, 18th century baluster in form…

18th Century Delft Floral Lamp Base

A Delft tin glazed lamp base, 18th century baluster in form decorated with floral motifs, 70 cm high

A Dutch Delft blue and white tobacco jar, signed to base, 17th…

17th Century Dutch Delft Blue Tobacco Jar

A Dutch Delft blue and white tobacco jar, signed to base, 17th century, 32 cm high

A Dutch Delft blue and white plaque with oriental decoration,…

18th Century Dutch Delft Blue Oriental Plaque

A Dutch Delft blue and white plaque with oriental decoration, 18th century, 24 cm diameter

Delft blue & white cow, 16 cm high

Miniature Delft Blue Cow Figurine

Delft blue & white cow, 16 cm high

Pair of late 18th century Delft candlesticks, of fluted column…

Late 18th Century Delft Floral Candlesticks

Pair of late 18th century Delft candlesticks, of fluted column form, on square base and four feet, decorated with floral sprays of flowers, in tones of red, green and blue, marked J.J//446 to base

Pair of 18th century Dutch Delft jars and covers, of ribbed…

18th Century Dutch Delft Jars with Lion Finials

Pair of 18th century Dutch Delft jars and covers, of ribbed baluster form, the covers set with lion finials, above a body decorated with birds, insects and flowers, marked J.V.D.H, possibly for Jan van der Houk, a/f, height 75 cm, (2)

A Dutch tin glazed triple Gourded Tulipiere, decorated in the…

Delft Tulipiere: Dutch Tin Glazed Triple Gourd Vase

A Dutch tin glazed triple Gourded Tulipiere, decorated in the typical Delft fashion.

An old Delft blue and white pottery twin bottle cruet set, both…

Delft Blue Twin Bottle Cruet Set with Landscape Figures

An old Delft blue and white pottery twin bottle cruet set, both octagonal bottles/jugs have lids and fit into a shaped stand, decorated with figures in landscapes

Two Delft blue and white portraits plaques of gentlemen to…

Delft Blue Gentleman Portraits Plaques - 51cm Diameter

Two Delft blue and white portraits plaques of gentlemen to centre, each 51 cm diameter

A Dutch Delft polychrome figure of a cow, 18th/19th century, 17…

Dutch Delft Polychrome Cow Figure, 18th/19th Century

A Dutch Delft polychrome figure of a cow, 18th/19th century, 17 cm high

Twenty-two blue Delft Dutch houses by BOLS

22 Blue Delft Dutch Houses by BOLS

Twenty-two blue Delft Dutch houses by BOLS

Fifteen Delft porcelain miniature houses 18 cm

Fifteen Delft Porcelain Miniature Houses Collection

Fifteen Delft porcelain miniature houses 18 cm

Delft blue and white flower boat on stand

Blue and White Flower Boat on Stand

Delft blue and white flower boat on stand

Delft jug Ervenlucas Bols, Amsterdam, approx 22 cm high

Ervenlucas Bols Delft Jug: Amsterdam Antique Collectible

Delft jug Ervenlucas Bols, Amsterdam, approx 22 cm high

Three Dutch Delft blue and white canisters, each approx 21 cm…

Set of Three Delft Blue Canisters

Three Dutch Delft blue and white canisters, each approx 21 cm high (3)

Pair of boy and girl Delft ceramic liquor bottles H20 cm approx

Delft liquor bottles, boy and girl

Pair of boy and girl Delft ceramic liquor bottles H20 cm approx

A Delft porcelain and ormolu based electrified table lamp

Delft porcelain and ormolu table lamp

A Delft porcelain and ormolu based electrified table lamp

Early Delft Cow figure. Signed to base. Height 15 cm

Signed Delft Cow Figure - 15cm Height

Early Delft Cow figure. Signed to base. Height 15 cm

A Dutch Delft Chinoiserie coffee pot, circa 1705 - 1720, iron…

Dutch Delft Chinoiserie Coffee Pot, 1705-1720

A Dutch Delft Chinoiserie coffee pot, circa 1705 - 1720, iron red Pak monogram mark for Pieter Adriaensz Kocx at de Grieksche A, the body of tapering fluted design, C scroll handle and straight angular spout, painted in Kakiemon style with flowering…