Ceramic Pottery Urn with Lid Lid and Lion Finial – Royal Delft

Vintage Dutch white and blue ceramic pottery urn by Royal Delft, produced in 1954, features intricate hand-painted floral motifs framed by decorative cobalt borders. Topped with a sculpted lion finial, this lidded Delftware urn reflects the artistry of W.M.G. ten Hacken, whose initials, year code, and the Royal Delft hallmark are marked on the base. Visible ceramic cracks (craquelure) characteristic of age, along with small losses, add vintage authenticity. A striking example of Delft blue pottery and a fine European collectible.

Product details

• Overall dimensions: Height 10 1/2" (without lid 7 1/4"), Diameter 5 1/4"
• Technique: Hand-painted Delftware ceramics
• Origin: Royal Delft, The Netherlands
• Date: 1954
• Signature: Marked on the base with Royal Delft maker’s mark, year code, and artist’s initials W.M.G. Hacken
• Condition: Visible craquelure and age-related cracks, with minor damage consistent with time; details shown in photos

Delft ceramics, also known as Delftware or Delft porcelain, is a type of hand-painted tin-glazed earthenware that has been produced since the 17th century in the Dutch city of Delft. Inspired by Chinese porcelain, it is characterized by a white tin glaze with decorations, most often in shades of blue (known as Delft Blue), depicting Dutch scenes, floral motifs, and biblical imagery. It was made in the form of plates, vases, tiles, and jugs. The most famous still-operating manufacturer is Royal Delft (De Porceleyne Fles). Delftware differs from true porcelain in its material (earthenware), hand-painted decoration, and often the presence of factory marks or date codes on the underside.

Founded in 1653 in Delft, the Royal Delft factory (Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles) is the last remaining original Delftware manufacturer from the 17th century still in operation today. Known for its exceptional craftsmanship and iconic blue-and-white earthenware, Royal Delft has supplied decorative pieces to royalty and collectors around the world for centuries. Each piece is carefully signed on the bottom — alongside the Royal Delft maker’s mark, the base typically includes a year code indicating the production date and the initials of the individual artist who painted the piece, adding historical and collectible value.

W.M.G. ten Hacken (born 1/10/1920) worked as a talented artisan at the renowned Royal Delft factory, the historic creator of Delft Blue ceramics in the Netherlands, from 1939 to 1984. His works, identifiable by his signature initials, represent authentic mid-20th-century craftsmanship within Royal Delft’s longstanding artistic legacy and are highly regarded by collectors for their genuine quality and expert hand-painted detail.