This is the most frequently asked question. How can one
tell if a piece of Delftware is real or fake. It is very hard to give a direct
answer to that question. The easiest way is first to establish an understanding
of what is considered to be Delftware. In general most people tend to think
that delfts Blauw (Delft Blue) is a protected name, which it isn't. It is a
name given to a specific type of ceramics from Holland. So it is not a brand
name, but much more a style name. Traditionally it is a type of handcrafted
earthenware, hand painted with typical (flower)patterns, and sometimes combined
with landscapes and typical Dutch scenery.
Understandably people tend to consider Delftware from the factories located
in the city of Delft to be 'more real' than Delftware from other factories located
elsewhere in The Netherlands. But since the painting technique and skill of
all craftsmen is equal to or greater than that of the people who work in Delft,
it might be better to distinguish between hand painted and mass-produced (i.e.
printed or transferred) work.
Handpainted pieces of Delftware can be recognized by the following characteristics
:
-
The piece is painted with only one color (cobalt blue)
so darker and lighter colors are achieved by using more or less water
to change the saturation of the paint ; more water means a lighter shade
of blue, less water a darker one.
-
When one looks very closely (or with a magnifying
glass) the actual brush effects can be seen in the paint, especially in
the dark outlines. Imagine a brush with watercolor paint, at first there
is a lot of paint when you start to draw a line. As you draw the line
the paint runs out and becomes progressively lighter until you run out.
This effect is always different, so two strokes are never the same.
-
If you were to compare two similar hand painted pieces
you will notice that although painted by well trained craftsmen no two
pieces are exactly the same. (tip : look at the clouds and the birds in
the sky.)
-
Compare two printed pieces, and every line or scene
or flower will be a carbon copy of the other piece.
-
Hand painted pieces you will also always find a factory
mark (for instance our own mark.) These marks are protected and registered.
Together with the factory mark you will also find the signature or monogram
of the painter.
-
But most importantly, you will receive a certificate
of authenticity with your piece of Delftware, warranted by the factory
and sometimes even by the painter. (our own delftware comes with individually
signed certificates.) Mass-produced pieces never have a signature, most
of the time they only have a stamp with a factory mark.
-
Don't be fooled by pieces that say hand painted, handwerk
or something similar. Stickers can also be applied manually. This way
you are not really lied to, they just don't tell the whole truth. Most
of the time only one or two minor details are hand painted (like a line
or two on a cup, the rest is a decal.) On the other hand, such pieces
make excellent inexpensive souvenirs.
-
Hand painted Delftware is due to the enormous amount
of work and time that goes into one piece , much more expensive than the
printed counterpart. This makes it at the same time something very valuable
and unique, whereas printed Delftware is mass-produced and has only entertainment
value.
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