History

The Delft Story

The Schoonhoven ceramic piece in the Delft style represents the oldest and one of the best known existing ceramics in the world.

In 1626 when Peter Minuit was making the best buy in history - Manhattan Island for $24 - another ingenious Dutchman by the name of Claes Wijtman was creating the first Delft. Both enterprises turned out very well. Mr. Minuit's investment appreciated about a billion times and Delft proved so popular it is still being produced three hundred and seventy years later.

The first Delft was inspired by Chinese blue and white stoneware which had become very popular on the European continent. Mr. Wijtman's imitation was well received and a prosperous industry was created in defunct breweries in the town of Delft, from which the ceramic derives its name.

Delft reached in popularity peak in the period between the 17th and 18th Centuries. It became a favorite of European nobility and art collectors. In fact, the best known art dealers today - The House of Duveen - got its start in Delft. It was also responsible for the creation of Dresden and Meisenware by virtue of Dutch potters who had emigrated to Germany with the idea of imitating Delft.

Although the early Delft was blue and white, green and red decors gained much favor in the 19th Century. Recently Schoonhoven revived these two colors as concession to the current color trend in American home decoration.

Like all art forms, the Delft style changed with the times and gradually acquired characteristics of its native Holland. The original oriental scenes were replaced by florals inspired by the beauty of Dutch flower fields and the familiar windmill scenes were frequently used. Dutch designers created many new pieces in the unique Dutch style. In the Schoonhoven collection alone there are more than two thousand different pieces.

At Schoonhoven Keramiek, established in 1920, the artwork is done by skilled craftsmen who were taught the trade by their fathers. The craft is kept in the family and passed on to each succeeding generation.

In the long history of Delft blue ceramics, there have been hundreds of manufacturers. Only a few are still in operation today. Schoonhoven Keramiek is one of the largest and their wares are well known in countries all over the world. They hope this birth or wedding plate brings you the same happiness and good fortune Delft blue ceramics have brought to so many in the past. Perhaps this piece will be the start of your own collection.