How Can You Tell Real Delft Pottery?

Delftware originated in the city of Delft in the Netherlands in the early 1600s as an imitation of Chinese porcelain. It was made by coating a clay body with opaque white tin glaze and then decorating it with blue designs inspired by Chinese designs. Delftware became popular throughout Europe and was a major export product for the Dutch.

Authentic antique Delft pottery can be quite valuable today, with rare pieces selling for thousands of dollars at auction. Its handmade production process and ties to Dutch history make Delftware highly coveted by collectors and museums. Identifying real Delft requires careful examination since convincing fakes exist.

There are several key indicators to look for when determining if a piece is genuine Delft. Examining the glaze, craftsmanship, maker’s marks, age, style, and bottom can help identify authentic Delft. An appraisal by an expert can also help verify authenticity and value.

Look for the Delft Mark

Authentic Delft pottery will have a mark indicating it was made in Delft, Netherlands. This is known as the Delft mark and can usually be found on the bottom or back of the piece.

The earliest Delft marks from the 16th century were often a pottery wheel symbol. Later marks included the city coat of arms symbol, which features a single vertical line and two horizontal lines. Other Delft marks may consist of letters spelling out Delft, or some variation such as DFT inside a shield outline ^[1].

Delft factories each had their own unique iterations of the Delft mark. For example, De Porceleyne Fles used the letters DPF inside a symbol with a crown on top. While Royal Delft had RD inside a shield outline. Marks can also incorporate the maker’s initials ^[2].

So inspect the pottery carefully, front and back, to locate an authentic Delft mark indicating it was produced in the famous pottery studios of Delft, Netherlands.

Examine the Glaze

Authentic antique Dutch Delft pottery has a distinctive glaze. The pottery is coated with a white background tin-glaze made from a mix of clay, sand, soda and lead[1]. This provides a smooth white canvas for the intricate blue designs painted on top. The glaze was developed to imitate expensive Chinese porcelain. It has a milky-white color and crazed cracking effect.

Early Delftware from the 17th century has a very thin, transparent glaze that accentuates the earthen color of the clay body beneath. Later pieces have thicker, more opaque glazes. The glaze can range from an ivory to grayish white background. Subtle variations in the thickness and opacity help date the pottery.

Cobalt oxide was used to hand paint the traditional blue and white designs atop the tin-glaze. The designs were outlined in manganese oxide. Other colors like green, purple and yellow were sometimes added later on. The glaze pools slightly around the brush strokes, blurring them softened edges.

Assess the Craftsmanship

High quality Delft pottery will have excellent craftsmanship with fine details painted by hand. According to the Delftware centre in Delft, pieces made before the mid-19th century will always have been completely hand-painted https://delftsaardewerk.nl/en/recognize/hand-painted. Look closely at the brushwork – hand-painted designs will have slight imperfections that show the humanity of the artist, while machine-made pieces will have uniform, perfectly replicated designs.

Genuine antique Delft also stands out in its construction. Delftware masters took great pride in their craft, ensuring sturdy builds and smooth glazed surfaces. Check for delicate detailing like thinly-rolled rim edges. Examine decorations for depth and dimension. Pieces with sloppy construction or paint visible under the glaze are likely not authentic.

High-quality materials also indicate real Delft wares. Pre-18th century Delft used clay with a distinct bluish-gray tint. Later pieces incorporated whiter clay. Authentic Delftware feels sturdy and has an almost metallic ring when tapped due to dense clay and high firing temperatures.

Consider the Age

One of the best ways to tell if Delft pottery is authentic and antique is to look for signs of age and wear. Genuine antique Delft will show subtle signs of use over decades or centuries, while fakes and reproductions will look pristine.

Check carefully for any nicks, small chips, hairline cracks, or crazing in the glaze. These are indications of authentic age and use over time. According to the Pottery Wheel, glaze crazing occurs naturally as Delft pottery ages. Be suspicious if there are no signs of wear.

Examine the bottom and edges for rough spots, oxidation, or small repairs. Potteries like Royal Delft sometimes refurbished damaged pieces, and this can be a mark of antique origin. Oxidation also occurs over long periods of time. A lack of wear may be a red flag.

Study the colors carefully. If the blue and white glazes show fading or slight discoloration, that’s a good sign it’s old. Newly made or reproduction Delft will look bright and vivid. According to the Royal Delft Museum, even the foot or base may show wear and oxidation.

Consider getting a professional appraisal if the Delft is potentially quite old. An expert can examine details like glaze chemistry and technique to authenticate any antique Delft pottery.

Research the Maker’s Mark

One of the best ways to authenticate Delft pottery is to examine the maker’s mark stamped or painted on the bottom. Delft pottery was produced in various factories in Delft, Netherlands starting in the 17th century. Some of the most well-known Delft factories include:

• De Porceleyne Fles – Founded in 1653, one of the oldest factories still in operation today. Known for their blue and white pottery. Maker’s marks include a ram.
• De Grieksche A – Founded in 1693, known for fine painting and innovative shapes. Closed in 1722. Maker’s mark is a Greek alpha symbol.
• De Metaale Pot – Founded in 1691, known for lead glazes. Closed in 1775. Maker’s mark was a metal pot.
• De Paauw – Founded in 1653, known for polychrome paintings of people, flowers, and animals. Closed in 1928. Maker’s mark was a peacock.

There are resources available to help identify the meanings of various Delft marks:

Royal Delft has a guide to year codes and trademarks used on their pieces over the centuries.

The website Dutch Delftware explains the significance of different marks and provides a database of maker’s marks.

Studying the different marks can help date a piece of Delft and trace it back to a specific factory of origin.

Verify the Style

Delft pottery is known for its distinctive blue and white designs. Some of the most common traditional motifs include:

• Scenes depicting Chinese figures and landscapes – This style was especially popular in the early 18th century. The Chinese-inspired designs reflected the pottery’s origins trying to imitate Chinese porcelain.[1]
• Script lettering and family crests – Delft potters made customized pieces with coats of arms and names for individual clients. [2]
• Floral patterns – Particularly tulip designs which were very fashionable in the Netherlands at the time. Delft floral patterns often feature blue and white tulips. [3]
• Nautical motifs – Scenes of Dutch ships and seascapes were popular as well, given the Netherlands’ maritime culture.

The styles and designs of Delft pottery have evolved over the centuries, with new motifs coming into fashion while older ones faded away. In the late 17th century more European-inspired scenes and styles emerged, moving away from the Chinese-influenced designs. The floral patterns and family crests remained popular into the 18th century. As decorative tastes changed, the nautical and floral motifs became less common, replaced by more contemporary styles. When evaluating an antique Delft piece, the particular style and motifs can give clues as to its era.

Examine the Bottom

The underside of an antique Delft piece provides important clues about its age, maker, and origin. Genuine Delft will have markings pressed into the clay on the base, which can help identify the factory where it was produced. According to Dutch Delftware, these factory marks often incorporated the pottery’s name or initials. For example, De Porceleyne Fles, one of the oldest Delft factories, used the mark DPF inside a shield shape. Marks may also include symbols like windmills or coats of arms. Additionally, many pieces have a painted mark indicating the year of production, helping narrow down the age. This two- or four-digit code can be cross-referenced with a guide, like the one provided by Royal Delft, to decode the year. Studying these details on the underside is an important step in assessing authenticity and learning more about a Delft antique’s origins.

Consider Getting an Appraisal

When determining if your Delft pottery is authentic and valuable, it can be useful to consult an expert appraiser. Appraisers who specialize in Delftware can carefully examine your piece and provide insight into its authenticity and value.

According to Appraisals (taxaties) – Amsterdam, you’ll want to find an appraiser whose specialty is European Ceramics from 1600-1900, as they will have expertise in Delftware specifically. Qualified appraisers look at many aspects of a Delft piece to determine its authenticity, including:

• Examining the glaze, clay body, pigments, and foot for signs of age and original production methods
• Assessing the craftsmanship and style for consistency with genuine Delft production
• Researching the maker’s marks and inspecting any signatures or seals
• Considering the overall wear, repairs, and condition to determine what is original
• Comparing stylistic details to established examples of authentic Delft

While an appraisal does cost money, it can provide authoritative documentation of your Delft’s history and value. This formal assessment is especially useful for more valuable pieces or if you need an accurate valuation for insurance purposes.

Avoiding Fakes and Reproductions

There are some common mistakes people make and red flags to watch out for when trying to identify real Delft pottery:

One mistake is not checking for a factory mark or maker’s mark. Genuine Delft will have some identifying mark, often on the bottom or back https://delftsaardewerk.nl/en/recognize/marks. The lack of any identifying mark is a red flag.

Another red flag is signs of modern mass production. Real Delft was handmade and hand-painted, so look for irregularities that indicate authentic craftsmanship. Machine-made perfection, blurred painted lines, or signs of transfer printing are giveaways that a piece is not true Delft https://dustyoldthing.com/identify-delft-blue-pottery/.

Additionally, exaggerated or unrealistic claims by sellers can indicate a fake. Authentic Delft is rare and valuable, so be wary of pieces advertised as extremely old or offered for suspiciously low prices.

When in doubt, consult an expert appraiser. They can examine details of construction, materials, age, markings, style, and provenance to definitively authenticate a piece.