Delft is one of the most famous cities in the Netherlands. He was glorified by the paintings of the enigmatic Jan Vermeer of Delft and the ceramics known throughout the world as Delft porcelain. But porcelain in Holland began to be produced much later and not at all in Delft.
In the 17th century, Delft experienced its heyday. Holland at this time became the most prosperous country in Western Europe, the basis of its prosperity was a successful sea trade. For commerce with the countries of the East, the East India Company was founded, one of its headquarters was located in Delft. Dutch traders brought tea, spices, fabrics, precious metals and, of course, porcelain from Asia.
Porcelain is the noblest kind of pottery. The composition of the porcelain mass includes kaolin - the highest grade clay. In addition, it is necessary to add other substances in certain proportions and carry out the firing at the correct temperature. The result is a fairly durable, temperature-resistant, lightweight, non-porous, translucent, sonorous material - hard porcelain. The secret of its manufacture as a result of centuries of technology improvement was discovered in China.
For the first time, Europeans learned about Chinese porcelain in the 13th century from the Venetian traveler Marco Polo. In the 15th century, a few pieces of precious porcelain appeared in the palaces of European monarchs. And only in the 17th century, thanks to the efforts of the East India Company, porcelain entered the Old World in large quantities, but it still remained extremely expensive and was available only to a small circle of very wealthy Europeans.
They have been trying to unravel the secret of making porcelain in Europe for several centuries. The Chinese kept the secret of porcelain so strictly that it was subsequently reinvented several times. In the process of research, new types of ceramics were created, among them faience. In appearance, it looks like porcelain, but still it is a material of lower quality. It is more porous, not so thin and sonorous, does not transmit light. Nevertheless, earthenware became widespread in Europe, Spain and Italy became famous for earthenware products. And in the 17th century, the main role in the production of earthenware passed to Holland.
In 1614 in Delft a certain Vitmans received a patent for ceramic production. In a very short time, the small Dutch town becomes an artistic center of European importance. Interestingly, the development of pottery in Delft in the 17th century was facilitated by the deterioration of the quality of local water. Previously, the city was famous for its breweries. But because of the water, many breweries had to be closed, and ceramic workshops were founded in their place.
Hard porcelain, known to the Chinese since the 10th century, was discovered in Europe only in 1709. Delft also became famous for its earthenware products. But even in old Dutch documents it was called porcelain. Kaolin, which is so essential for making porcelain, is not available in Holland at all. The material for making Delft faience is a mixture of three types of clay, one of which is white. When combined with the glaze, it gives a dense, dense white background, very convenient for painting. The products are strikingly light in weight, they are almost illusory similar to Chinese ones. And only the presence of a fresh break can convince that this is not porcelain, but faience.
Initially, Delft craftsmen imitated Chinese decor. Polychrome products were also widespread, but the blue-and-white ones, painted with cobalt on a white background, were especially popular. From the second half of the 17th century, along with Chinese motifs, they began to depict views of Dutch cities, windmills, seascapes with sailing ships. Then there were products depicting traditional Dutch landscapes, biblical subjects, and floral motifs.
In addition to tableware, ceramic tiles began to be produced in Delft. In Dutch homes, she used to lay out fireplaces, panels and entire rooms from floor to ceiling. But at least a skirting board along the bottom edge of the wall, to protect the plaster while cleaning the floors. Among the popular motifs on the tiles was the depiction of Dutch peasants and townspeople in everyday clothes, doing their usual work.
