Small Delft ceramic vase with a floral motif– Royal Delft

Charming hand-painted Delft-style ceramic vase produced by Royal Delft (De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles) in 1977. Featuring a traditional blue floral motif, the vase reflects the timeless elegance and craftsmanship associated with Dutch Delftware. This piece is signed on the bottom with the Royal Delft factory mark, a year code for 1977, and the initials of the artist, A. Stoop, who worked at Royal Delft from 1976 to 1980 and hand-painted each piece individually. An excellent addition to any collection of vintage Delft pottery or European ceramics.

Product details:

• Overall dimensions: Height 6", Diameter 3 1/2"
• Technique: Hand-painted Delftware ceramic
• Origin: Netherlands
• Date: 1977
• Signature: Marked on the underside with the Royal Delft factory mark, year code, and the initials of the artist A. Stoop
• Condition: Excellent – no cracks, chips, or signs of wear

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.

A. Stoop was one of the artists employed at the renowned Royal Delft manufactory (De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles) in the late 1970s. She worked there between 1976 and 1980 as a painter of decorative ceramics. Each piece painted by her was hand-decorated with great precision and in faithful adherence to the traditional delftware style. The signature "A. Stoop," often accompanied by the factory mark and year code, attests to the authenticity and unique character of the piece. Her work is now sought after by collectors as an example of premium-quality craftsmanship.