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Société Céramique 'Mooi Nederland' Delft Oude Kerk Decorative Plate

A blue and white Dutch decorative plate showing a church and canal, with a backstamp from Société Céramique Maestricht. - view 1
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Estimated value

$10 - $25

Rarity

Ordinary(3/10)

Brand

Société Céramique

Era

circa 1920-1950

Origin

🇳🇱 Netherlands

Artist / Creator

Delft blauw

Authenticity

Very High(90%)
42

SOCIÉTÉ CÉRAMIQUE 'MOOI NEDERLAND' DELFT OUDE KERK DECORATIVE PLATE: IDENTIFICATION

A transfer-printed earthenware decorative wall plate featuring a winter scene of the Oude Kerk (Old Church) in Delft, Netherlands. The central medallion depicts the leaning tower of the church viewed from across a canal, surrounded by bare trees and traditional Dutch architecture. The rim is decorated with a complex neo-rococo border of floral motifs and scrolling cartouches in deep cobalt blue. The reverse bears the printed mark of Société Céramique Maestricht featuring a crowned lion, alongside the series title 'MOOI NEDERLAND' and the subtitle 'MADE IN HOLLAND'.

Compare with other ceramic pieces in the archive: Alabaster Urn-Shaped Vase, Han Dynasty Style Glazed Ceramic Boar Figurine, Chinese Blue and White 'Three Friends of Winter' Stem Cup, Ming Style.

PRODUCTION & FIRING

This plate was produced by the Société Céramique factory in Maastricht (Maestricht), which operated from 1851 until 1958 when it merged with Sphinx. The 'Mooi Nederland' (Beautiful Netherlands) series was a popular line of souvenir and decorative ware produced primarily in the early to mid-20th ...
This plate was produced by the Société Céramique factory in Maastricht (Maestricht), which operated from 1851 until 1958 when it merged with Sphinx. The 'Mooi Nederland' (Beautiful Netherlands) series was a popular line of souvenir and decorative ware produced primarily in the early to mid-20th century, specifically between 1920 and 1950. While often called 'Delftware' by laypeople due to the blue and white palette, it is technically Maastricht refine earthenware (ironstone) utilizing industrial transfer-printing techniques rather than hand-painted tin-glazed pottery from Delft.

COLLECTOR NOTES

1

The Société Céramique factory was the main competitor to the famous Royal Sphinx factory (Petrus Regout) until they merged in 1958.

SCARCITY

Ordinary40-55%
CommonLegendary

Standard antiques commonly found at estate sales and flea markets. Plentiful supply meets modest demand.

Rarity 3/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 170 ceramics items at rarity 3 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Moderate production runs
  • Common at estate sales
  • Entry-level collectibles

Confidence Factors

  • Clear and authentic factory backstamp for Société Céramique
  • Transfer-print quality consistent with Maastricht production standards of the early 20th century
How does authenticity detection work?

CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT

Ceramics Historian & Kiln Specialist

Ceramics Expert

The factory mark is exceptionally clear and well-documented. The series is common enough to allow for precise identification from visual data alone.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Société Céramique Maestricht backstamp confirms the factory of origin.
  • 2Transfer-printed scene labeled 'DELFT, OUDE KERK' identifies the subject matter.
  • 3The 'Made in Holland' text suggests a post-1891 production date to comply with McKinley Tariff requirements.
  • 4Presence of a full vertical hairline crack reduces value to decorative-only status.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Visible crack at 6 o'clock through the main scene.
  • •Staining within the crack suggests the body is porous (earthenware), not vitrified (porcelain).

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Perform a ring test by gently tapping the edge; a dull thud instead of a bell-like tone will confirm the extent of the crack.
  • →Check under a 10x loupe to see if the blue ink has 'cobalt bleed', which can help refine the date.

CONDITION & GRADE

Poor to Fair

Grading breakdown

The structural integrity is compromised by a full-thickness hairline crack, which significantly devalues decorative ceramics compared to 'Fine' or 'Near Mint' examples.

Condition

A significant vertical hairline crack is visible through the 6 o'clock position, extending from the rim through the central scene and visible on the reverse. There is a small chip on the footrim and dark staining along the crack line indicating age-related moisture penetration.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$10 - $25

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

Casual collectors of Dutch memorabilia or individuals looking for decorative 'blue and white' wall decor.

What increases value

  • •Recognizable landscape (Delft)
  • •Clear maker's mark
  • •Intact hanging wire suggests immediate decorative use

What lowers value

  • •Severe vertical hairline crack devalues the piece by 70-80% compared to mint examples
  • •Mass-produced nature limits upside potential

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Absence of crazing or staining
  • •Crispness of the transfer-stamp (no blurring)
  • •Complete set of 'Mooi Nederland' series

Grade & condition

Structural integrity, glaze clarity, and the presence/absence of 'crazing' (fine surface cracking).

Rarity & demand

OrdinaryModerate demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar ceramics objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

RE

Rene

Fellow Collector•44 items

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