When I was recently rummaging in one of my kitchen cupboards, my fingers encountered an object still in its original wrapping, neatly bound. I unwrapped it to find a small oval bowl with pretty flowers and windmills in white and blue. My thoughts instantly flew to our trip to Amsterdam many years ago and the tour I took of the Delft factory. I had purchased some pottery there that I had tucked away carefully inside the cupboard away from tiny, prying hands.
But I have put a Delft cheese knife and platter to very good use (I can show you the chipped end of the cheese knife for proof!). The bowl was so daintily pretty that I had secreted it away. Delftware or Delfts Blauw (Delft Blue) is pottery that became famous in the Netherlands in the 16th century. It is made of clay called ‘marl’ and is rich in calcium compounds. The Royal Delft Factory and De Delftse Pauw are both authentic and well known brands.
The town of Delft where it was first produced is where the brand borrows it’s name from. While they do happen to have factories in other parts of Netherlands, the one in Delft is the one most popular with the tourists.
Blue and white painted pottery from Europe is so different from the blue and white fine Chinese ceramics that is popular in Asia. The idea of blue and white was first inspired by the Chinese ceramics. When the Dutch first encountered the Chinese ceramics and took it home, they became all the rage. In order to sustain local trade the people of Holland quickly created their own brand of pottery.
While they are both beautiful and add their own unique flair to the table, the motifs used in both are what sets them apart. The Chinese ceramics for the most part depict dragons, hand held fans, lanterns and other motifs related to their life and beliefs. The Delftware has windmills, tulips, clogs, fishing boats, and images of the European countryside.
I am a big fan of painted and glazed pottery. In my opinion, it does not really have to match a dinner set — even a single item like a cheese board, a sauce boat or a cake platter can add a touch of style to the table setting and become a conversation piece.
The Delft blue is in fact clay pottery to which a white tin glaze is applied and then fired. The highly accomplished craftsmen then hand paint the designs using a black dye. During firing, this black colour changes to the trademark blue that is so sought after. A clear glaze is again added and fired which then gives a finish which bears a strong resemblance to porcelain. I remember the stages of production vividly. And the respect for what I own increases manifold when I see the effort taken to manufacture it. The variety of items range from every day household articles to finer objects d'art. Fancy tiles and ornamental plates are also very popular. One can choose from huge statement pieces to add elegance to your home to small simple articles that offer a greater utility value.
Delft blue later on went on to develop techniques that evolved into personal monograms and distinctive factory marks. The pictures that I have for you are taken at an angle where the factory markings are visible. I have now set it on a ledge in my kitchen, where it awaits a prettier setting. ,
Such things add not just cosmetic value. What I treasure more are the stories that get attached to it. Stories of ‘what I served at that lunch’, ‘what did your Uncle see in Amsterdam’, ‘remember that warm bowl of split peas soup we had in that cafe, after we bought this’, and so on. Make that little trip to the Delft factory a part of your life and bring that happiness into your home and continue to share it with family and friends every time you have the chance to do so. This is simply another way for a foodie to share the passion about other nuances that are related to food. I now look forward to the next surprise that my kitchen will spring on me.
Read more on Shanthini’s website www.pinklemontreerecipes.com
