The Delft Story

The Schoonhoven Delft piece 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, Delft 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.

All decorating is done entirely by hand.   At Schoonhoven's quaint Delft factory, built
from the ruins of a medieval church, 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 Delft's long history there have been hundreds of manufacturers.  Twenty odd are still
in operation today.  Schoonhoven is one of the largest and their wares are well known in
countries all over the world.  They hope this Delft piece brings you the same happiness and
good fortune Delft has brought to so many in the past.  Perhaps this piece will be the start
of your own Delft collection.

Text provided by the factory.