Although impervious to liquids, delftware is quite fragile as it is fired at a relatively low temperature. However, it was made for many domestic uses: for eating and drinking, for pharmaceutical and hygienic purposes, and not infrequently for display. It was usually decorated by hand with painted inscriptions, coats-of-arms or splendid scenes - mainly biblical, allegorical or pastoral - or else in imitation Chinese style. Delftware production continued in centres all over the British Isles, including Ireland, until the early 19th century, although from the middle of the 18th century it was being displaced by both porcelain and durable cream-coloured earthenware, after almost 300 years of continuous production. The British Museum collection of delftware, which was established in the later part of the 19th century, is one of the finest in the world.

Delftware has been made in England since the sixteenth century,when floor tiles and drug pots were produced in Aldgate, London by immigrant potters from the Low Countries. Once called 'galleyware', this type of pottery came to be known as delftware after the Dutch town of Delft which was renowned for its manufacture. This stunning book introduces a magnificent selection of English and Irish delftware drawn from the British Museum's important collection.

In the early seventeenth century factories making dishes and other wares were set up in London close to the River Thames, their products initially influenced by Italian maiolica and subsequently by Chinese porcelain. Manufacture spread from London to Bristol,Liverpool and Dublin. Delftware was made for many domestic uses: for eating and drinking, for pharmaceutical and hygienic purposes, and not infrequently for display. It was usually decorated by hand with painted inscriptions, coats-of-arms or splendid scenes - mainly biblical, allegorical or pastoral - or else in imitation Chinese style. Delftware continued to be made in centres all over the British Isles and in Ireland until the early nineteenth century,enjoying almost 300 years of continuous production.

The British Museum collection of delftware is one of the finest in the world. It is especially notable for the number of pieces bearing dates and for those which document historical personages and events. This beautifully illustrated book features more than i85 items from this extensive collection and includes pieces which have never before been published in colour.

Preface and acknowledgements

Introduction

Collecting delftware

Collecting delftware at the British Museum

English & Irish Delftware

Political and historical delftware

Religious subjects

Armorial decoration

Delftware for the pharmacy

Drinking

Delftware for the table

Delftware for leisure

Flower holders

Ornaments, water bottles, fragments and tiles

Profiles of chargers and dishes

English delftware destroyed in the Second World War

Notes

Bibliography

Index