Delft Blue Ceramic Vase with Floral Motifs – Royal Delft

Vintage Delft Blue ceramic vase created in 1969 by Royal Delft, renowned for its centuries-old tradition of white and blue ceramic pottery. This hand-painted piece features delicate cobalt floral motifs across a refined silhouette, exemplifying the timeless artistry of Delftware. Marked on the underside with the Royal Delft factory stamp, date code, and the initials of artist C.J. Croonenburg, it combines decorative beauty with collectible value. In excellent vintage condition, this European vase makes a striking addition to any Delft Blue collection or classic home decor.

Product details:

• Overall dimensions: 11 3/8" x 6 3/4" x 3 1/8"
• Technique: Hand-painted Delft Blue
• Origin: Holland (Royal Delft)
• Date: 1969
• Signature: Factory stamp, date code, and initials of C.J. Croonenburg
• Condition: Good vintage condition; no chips or cracks

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.

C.J. Croonenburg was an artist associated with the prestigious Royal Delft factory (De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles) in the Netherlands, where he worked from 1958 to 1972. During this time, he decorated classic Delft Blue pieces—characteristic white-and-cobalt ceramics hand-painted with floral, landscape, and ornamental motifs. His initials, placed on the bottom of the items alongside factory marks and date codes, allow for precise attribution of the works he created. Croonenburg’s pieces are distinguished by their precision and fidelity to traditional patterns, making them valuable examples of Dutch ceramic craftsmanship from the second half of the 20th century.