Vintage Delft Blue Ceramic Tulip-Shaped Candlestick – Royal Delft

Vintage Royal Delft tulip-shaped candlestick crafted in 1966, hand-painted in classic Delft Blue tones with intricate floral motifs. This white and blue ceramic pottery piece reflects the centuries-old artistry of Dutch Delftware, with delicate cobalt brushwork attributed to painter H. den Bouter. Bearing the Royal Delft factory mark, year code, and artist’s initials on the underside, it combines decorative elegance with collectible value. In excellent condition, this European candlestick makes a refined addition to any Delft Blue collection or vintage home decor.

Product details:

• Overall dimensions: 9 7/8" x 4 1/2"
• Technique: Hand-painted Delft Blue ceramic
• Origin: Royal Delft factory, Holland
• Date: 1966
• Signature: On the underside – includes Royal Delft factory mark, coded year of production, and painter’s initials (H. den Bouter)
• Condition: Excellent 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.

H. den Bouter was a skilled artisan employed by the prestigious Royal Delft factory, the historic Delft Blue ceramics producer in the Netherlands from 1965 to 1968. His pieces, marked with his signature initials, are considered genuine mid-century examples of Royal Delft’s continuing artistic tradition and are sought after by collectors who value both authenticity and skilled hand-painted decoration.