Compared to other wellknown types of ceramics like Majolica, Delft Blue exists only for a relatively short period of time. In the middle ages Delft blue pottery didn't exist yet. The potters only created earthenware from local clay. This earthenware was grayish, redbrown or yellow. Decorating it was primarily done by carving symmetrical shapes with a sharp object. Painting and glazing was also done, but the real delft technique didn't come into play until the 17th Century.

The first named ceramist in Delft is Herman Pieterszoon (1584). He had learned the ceramics trade in Haarlem, but he is the first recorded ceramist in Delft, where he started creating ceramics. Within 60 years over thirty factories had opened their doors and started the ceramics-tradition in Delft, which later became the worldfamous Delft Blue Pottery.

Running from the spanish inquisition of Antwerp in 1585, groups of Italian, Spanish and Portugese ceramists moved to Delft. They brought their techniques and knowledge about ceramics with them. At the same time the V.O.C. (united east-indies company, a large trade-association) started importing porcelain from China. It is rockhard, smooth and shiny, scratchproof and very thin, almost translucent. It's decorated, mostly in cobalt-blue, with designs such as flowers and dragons. This had a strong appeal to the upperclass citizens. Soon a massive trade in such porcelain started. Because of the success of this newlyfound fashion-item, the Delft ceramics-painters attempted to replicate it. They tried to produce the same high quality, which soon proved to be impossible. This was caused by the simple fact that local Dutch clay has a completely different (so to speak, inferior) composition from Asian porcelain-earth.

In 1647 a civil war started in China, which ended the mass import of Chinese porcelain. This started a golde time for Delft Blue pottery. In Delft lots of breweries went bankrupt, which in turn assured a lot of workspace for the ceramists. Also the location on the river 'de Schie' insured easy transportation to local and foreign destinations.

In the same period they also started to introduce typical dutch designs like windmill landscapes and native flowers where introduced.

Early 18th Century the Chinese pottery slowly returned to the market, and the factories that had expanded so much were now having a hard time. Within a short period of time many factories were closed, and the remaining ones started focusing on tiles, which were in popular demand, even in Portugal, the number 1 producer of tiles.

Nowadays Delft Blue is wellknown around the world. The technique is appreciated for its refined decorations and shiny finish, although more and more cheap imitations arise for the touristindustry it still brings a sense of appreciation and admiration to collectors and admirers.