In-depth Articles

Main image: Jacob Houbraken, Het Sint Nicolaasfeest, Engraving, 1761, Collection Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (inv. no. RP-P-1938-1443) The footwear worn by the figures in the engraving correspond perfectly with the Delft miniature shoe models. On 5 December, many people in the Netherlands celebrate Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas), a time-honored occasion rich in history, ritual, and joy. It is…

Main image: Polychrome plaque, Delft, circa 1740-1760, former Aronson Collection (inv. no. D0731) Since Chinese porcelain entered the Dutch market around 1600, it captured people’s imagination and laid the foundation for Delft faience. One of the most fascinating aspects of this cultural exchange is the transformation of Chinese motifs, often associated with deep symbolic meanings,…

Main image: Set of Four Blue and White Armorial Tobacco Jars and Brass Cover, Delft, c.1820, Aronson Collection (inv. no. D1368) Tobacco has served as a medicinal, comforting, stimulating, and religious substance. Upon their arrival in the Americas in 1492, Christopher Columbus and his crew noted that Indigenous peoples were using what they described as…

Main image: View on the Dutch trade base on Deshima, circa 1890, Leiden University Libraries (shelf no. KITLV 36D536) Since 2006, CAMERA JAPAN has been an annual celebration of Japanese culture, taking place each autumn in Rotterdam. This year, the festival runs from September 24–28. While rooted in contemporary Japanese cinema, its scope extends far…

Main image: Blue and White Rectangular Marine Plaque, Delft, circa 1660, former Aronson Collection (inv. no. 25045) Since 1975, organized to celebrate the 700 anniversary of Amsterdam, every five years, the waters of Amsterdam’s IJ transform into a sea of masts, sails, and maritime stories during SAIL Amsterdam—one of the largest nautical events in the…

Models and Molds Today, the variety of forms in ceramics seems virtually limitless, especially with the aid of modern technologies like 3D printing. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, however, crafting ceramic objects that could not be thrown on a potter’s wheel demanded the expertise of a specialist known as the vormer (molder). This craftsman…

An obelisk is a four-sided, tapering monolithic pillar that ascends with majestic precision, culminating in a pyramidion—a small, pointed pyramid at its peak. Originating in ancient Egypt, these towering forms have long captivated the imagination for their awe-inspiring height and celestial symbolism, earning them the moniker “skyscrapers of the past.”(1) Their impressive presence has fascinated…

History For a factory that has been in operation for nearly two centuries, surprisingly little has been documented about De Drie Klokken (The Three Bells) factory. However, through the analysis of literature, archival sources, and the finely crafted Delft faience produced at De Drie Klokken, we aim to develop a more comprehensive understanding of its…

Our profession is centered on research, discovery, and making connections. This month’s article recounts the extraordinary story of a magnificent 17th-century garniture set that was unexpectedly reunited at Aronson Antiques—a remarkable twist of fate one could only dream of. In early summer 2024, we had the privilege of acquiring a stunning pair of vases from…

The history of Delft faience and its enduring success can be traced back to the early seventeenth century. The early production of Delft faience remains largely enigmatic, as many of the initial pieces are still difficult to attribute with certainty. However, ongoing archaeological discoveries, art historical research, and newly established connections continue to shed light…