History

Porcelain and Delft

Porcelain was a material unknown in the Netherlands, and so the potters attempted to imitate the Oriental products as well as they could with local clay. They succeeded in a relatively short period of time, and shortly after that a large number of factories were founded especially in Rotterdam (12) and Delft (30). This development took place in the first half of the well in the two cities mentioned before. It may have been because a number of buildings in Delft were left vacant because of the ailing brewery industry.

The 17th Century

“De Porceleyne Fles” ( The Porcelain Bottle) was founded in 1653 by David Anthonisz. v. d. Pieth, at the Oosteinde in Delft. After two years, the factory passed into the hands of Wouter van Eenhoorn and Quirinus van Kleijnoven. Wouter van Eenhoorn was a businessman who also ad financial interests in other potteries, such as ‘De Griekse A”, “De drie vergulde Astonnekens”, “Het Hooge Huys” and “De Paeuw”. Little is known about both the financial and the artistic results of the various companies, and conclusions can only be based on deeds of purchase and sale, contracts , etcetera. Consequently, we can only suspect that in the period during which “De Porceleyne Fles” was owned by Van Kleijnoven and Van Eenhoorn, the factory was prosperous and was one of the most important companies. In 1663, Van Eenhoorn sold his share of the company to Van Kleijnoven, who then owned the factory. After Van Kleijnoven deceased in 1695, his widow continued the business, but after two years she sold it to Johannes Knotter. He was the first one to introduce the jar in the trademark.

The 18th Century

Johannes Knotter owned the company for only four years, and then sold it to Marcelis de Vlugt. Like the previous owners, De Vlugt was neither a potter nor a painter, because no works of him were ever found. He therefore hired Jan Sixtus van der Hoeck, a master painter who was famous for his exquisite decorations. After 1750, the factory was successively owned by Christoffel van Doorne, his son Pieter van Doorne and Jacobus Harlees. The latter reintroduces the jar in the trademark for the first time in 70 years. It has remained part of our trademark ever since. After Harlees decreased in
1786, the company was owned by his son Dirck Harlees. He then sold it to Henricus Arnoldus Piccardt, who was succeeded in 1849 by his daughter, Geertruida Piccardt.
The earthenware industry in Delft was troubled by more and more difficulties. Firstly, porcelain–clay was discovered in Europe, and porcelain articles became a difficult competitor. Secondly, in 1746 a white–baking clay was discovered by Cookworthy. This new clay was in many ways superior to the clay the Delft pottery makers were using. It did not need the layer of white glaze, and the decorations, which were also more delicate, were covered with a layer of transparent glaze.

The 19th century

Johannes Knotter owned the company for only four years, and then sold it to Marcelis de Vlugt. Like the previous owners, De Vlugt was neither a potter nor a painter, because no works of him were ever found. He therefore hired Jan Sixtus van der Hoeck, a master painter who was famous for his exquisite decorations. After 1750, the factory was successively owned by Christoffel van Doorne, his son Pieter van Doorne and Jacobus Harlees. The latter reintroduces the jar in the trademark for the first time in 70 years. It has remained part of our trademark ever since. After Harlees decreased in 1786, the company was owned by his son Dirck Harlees. He then sold it to Henricus Arnoldus Piccardt, who was succeeded in 1849 by his daughter, Geertruida Piccardt.

The earthenware industry in Delft was troubled by more and more difficulties. Firstly, porcelain–clay was discovered in Europe, and porcelain articles became a difficult competitor. Secondly, in 1746 a white–baking clay was discovered by Cookworthy. This new clay was in many ways superior to the clay the Delft pottery makers were using. It did not need the layer of white glaze, and the decorations, which were also more delicate, were covered with a layer of transparent glaze.