Welcome to Delft
About Our Store
Blauwe Roos Antiek is located in one of the most iconic houses of Delft. It offers authentic 17th and 18th century Delftware and Dutch tiles, Dutch Art Nouveau pottery, as well as vintage Royal Delft vases and plates and hand-painted 19th and 20th century tiles.
What we sell
About our Collections
We sell earthenware, made in The Netherlands, over 400 years ago, or more recently. Always authentic, made by local craftsmen. Decorated with designs that reflect the fashions of the times, yet always recognizable as 'typically Dutch'.
Antique Dutch tiles
The production of ceramic tiles in the Netherlands began around 1580, under the influence of immigrated Spanish, Italian and Flemish craftsmen. Tiles became quickly popular, as they adorned the kitchen walls and fireplaces of the houses of people that could afford to buy them.
Antique Delftware
The Delftware's origins can be traced back to the early 17th century, at the beginning of what we Dutch call our Golden Age.
Dutch potters sought to replicate the highly coveted blue and white porcelain imported from China. Delft happened to be the place where this effort was manifestly successful, due to the proximity to clay deposits, access to trade routes, availably of skilled labour and a touch of entrepreneurial genius.
Antique Pewter
For many centuries, pewter utensils were commonly found in kitchens, dining rooms, and taverns throughout Europe. Pewter and earthenware often coexisted in household settings, with the more expensive pewter items used for special occasions and earthenware products used for daily meals.
During the 16th up to the 19th century there were numerous pewter workshops and factories in the Netherlands, including in Delft.
Dutch Art Nouveau Pottery
In the late 19th and early 20th century Dutch pottery flourished once again. Influenced by French Art Nouveau, German/Austrian Jugendstil and the British Arts and Crafts movement, ceramics producers in The Netherlands developed a unique and distinct style that had instant success and is still widely collected today.
By combining the bold symmetry and floral patterns of Art Nouveau, the flowing lines of Jugendstil and the honest simplicity of Arts and Crafts, everyday pottery was elevated into the realm of art.
Vintage Royal Delft
The origins of Porceleyne Fles/Royal Delft can be traced back to 1653. Over the years, the pottery's reputation continued to grow, and in 1876, it received the prestigious designation of "Koninklijke" (Royal) from King William III of the Netherlands, becoming known as "Royal Delft."
Today, Royal Delft is still in operation, employing the same traditional decoration, glazing and finishing techniques it has non-stop applied since the 17th century.
20th century Traditional tiles
Following the decline and collapse of the Dutch tile production industry in the early 1800s, the interest for this product – which is so much part of the Dutch cultural heritage – started to retain traction again in the 1880s.
Notably in the northern part of the country (province of Friesland) and in Utrecht, tile manufacturers reintroduced traditional production and painting techniques, taking inspiration from decorative patterns and designs that date back to earlier centuries.
From our Visitors
Amazing selection of antiques ranging from the more traditional Delfts Blauw tiles and vases to unique collectables such as Mobach and Gouda ceramics. Family-ran shop with great service - thank you for helping me choose the perfect birthday present!
Beautiful antique store in a privileged location in the city of Delft. Meters from the market square, it is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. A typical corner of a house with typical Dutch architecture. beautiful details on the facade to admire.
The owner has so much knowledge, a real gem this store. I have a Delft blue tile from 1700! A beauty