Inspired by Dutch tin-glazed earthenware first made in the town of Delft in Holland, English delftware first emerged in the 1620s in London workshops such as the gloriously named Pickleherring Pottery and was manufactured in Liverpool and Bristol potteries, too. 'Delftware first became of interest when William and Mary came to the throne in 1689 and brought a certain amount of Dutch pottery over with them,' says Garry Atkins, antiques dealer and pottery expert. 'People copied what the king and queen liked. Delftware doesn't have quite the same appeal as porcelain, which was grander stuff, but I just love it. It's very simple and so appealing - not over-elaborate.
The Dutch copied Chinese porcelain patterns, but the English potters did their own thing.' Up until this point, most people in England were using pewter or wooden plates. The very wealthy used silver, of course, but English delftware was embraced by the middle classes,' explains John Howard, antique English pottery specialist. The unique appeal of English delftware is difficult to pin-point, though many agree it has a fluid, free style whereas Dutch Delftware tends to be a bit more formal. 'English delftware has a strong country naivety to it that the Dutch pieces lack,' explains John.
The new manufacturing technique gave a white, smooth surface to buff-coloured earthenware clay, but it was tricky to fire. English delftware was never cheap, because less than half of the pieces that were fired could be sold at full price,' reveals John. Fragility was another issue - the actual body was strong, but the glaze was liable to chip and craze, so it wasn't suitable for serving very hot liquids. The pattern was hand-painted in a limited colour palette of mineral pigments that were high-fired: blue, yellow, orange, purple, green and red. 'Both Dutch and English potters used oxide colours, but there are subtle differences,' says John. For example, the cobalt isn't quite as hard in English pieces.'
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THE ANTIQUES THAT SHAPED ME - Tess Newall
The decorative artist and homeware designer shares her love of patina and a treasured childhood flower press
A Victorian Vision
There's a magical, story-book feel to this 19th-century manor in the Lincolnshire Wolds, where much-loved antique and vintage collections and a sensitive restoration have brought it back to life
Farm FRESH
Filled with painstakingly sourced primitive antiques and Welsh decorative pieces, Dorian Bowen's atmospheric farmstead is an authentic homage to bygone times
THE WOMEN OF MODERNISM
In the Modernist era, when clean lines, geometric forms, and functional design reshaped the world, a group of often-overlooked visionary women defied convention, pioneering innovations that laid the foundations of modern design, says
Global Treasures
Amber Clery has created a cosy, bohemian home filled with unusual finds gathered from her travels across the world
A blazing SUCCESS
This Georgian home in Northern Ireland, once ravaged by fire and time, has been reimagined for the modern age with vibrant colour, joyful patterns and a perfect balance of old and new
HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE SHANNON CLEGG
The botanical sculptor talks to Dominique Corlett about finding her niche and how her creative practice connects with the landscape of her childhood
48 hours in FROME
A cloth town of great importance from the 15th to the late-18th century, Frome in Somerset is now on the map for its vintage fashion and sustainable clothing, as well as its buzzing antiques scene, discovers Rosanna Morris
Island HOPPING
The traditional fitted kitchen island now faces competition from more flexible, modern alternatives
ON THE COFFEE TABLE Art through the ages
Explore 700 years of art history through the paintings of The National Gallery, with people at the heart of every page
