Situated between Rotterdam and The Hague, the Dutch city of Delft has a long political history through its association with the House of Orange and a significant cultural past .That wonderful past is amply evidenced by the great painter, Johannes Vermeer, noted for “The Girl with a Pearl Earring“ below and “The View of Delft“, shown at the top of this post. That being said, no discussion of this lovely city can rightly overlook Delft Tile.
via WikiCommons
Since we are a stone, tile and glass site, let’s drill down on the legendary Delftware and in particular Delft tiles. The omniscient Wikipedia defines Delftware as blue and white pottery made in and around Delft in the Netherlands and the tin-glazed pottery made in there from the 16th century. Delftware, in the latter sense, is a type of pottery in which a white glaze is applied, usually decorated with metal oxides. Delftware includes pottery objects of all descriptions such as plates, ornaments and tilees. Below, you can see a classic bit of Delftware from the Pushkin Museum in Moscow.
via WikiCommons
In the America of the 21st Century, Delft tile is most commonly thought of, in the broadest layman’s terms, as simply a white tile with blue decorative elements. Please consider this in thinking about Delft Tile: one should always expect a hand finished artisan style with crazing or minute cracks in the glaze.
My good friends at Country Floors, have enjoyed a long relationship with a Dutch producer of Delft tiles located in Makkum. This is reflected in the authentically beautiful Royal Makkum Collection. As you review this Delft selection, you will notice all the classic genre elements: white background, blue ornamentation, country ambience and farm scenes.
Here is a final suggestion. Consider bringing samples of other elements that you may want to work with your Delft tile. For example: paint chips, fabric swatches, millwork samples, etc. etc. This may sound obvious but you would be amazed at how many clients leave these things at home.
The Country Floors brand has showrooms across the USA. Let the experienced hands there guide you through a rewarding experience working with Delft designs!
