Delft Tin-Glazed Earthenware Tile

Name: Delft Tin-Glazed Earthenware Tile
Brand: Johan
Availability: LimitedAvailability

17th-century Dutch Delft blue and white tile depicting two figures in cavalier dress, showing glaze crazing and damage to the lower edge. - view 1

1/3

Estimated value

$150 - $350

Rarity

Uncommon(5/10)

DELFT TIN-GLAZED EARTHENWARE TILE: IDENTIFICATION

A square tin-glazed earthenware wall tile featuring a hand-painted central motif of two male figures in 17th-century 'Cavalier' attire. The figures are rendered in cobalt blue against a milky white background, flanked by 'ox-head' (ossekop) corner motifs. The reverse reveals a pinkish-buff, coarse earthenware body with remnants of lime mortar, characteristic of tiles removed from a masonry wall.

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

Produced in the Netherlands, likely in Delft or Rotterdam, circa 1640–1660. This era marked the peak of Dutch tile production where tin-glazing techniques were used to mimic expensive Chinese Wanli porcelain. The costume depicted—wide-brimmed hats, falling lace collars, and breeches—was the ...

COLLECTOR NOTES

Typical Dutch tiles from this period measure approximately 13 x 13 cm and were about 8–10 mm thick to fit standard chimney and baseboard alignments.

SCARCITY

Uncommon70-80%

CommonLegendary

Genuine antiques with fewer examples on the market. Named makers, documented provenance, or early production examples.

Rarity 5/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 21 ceramics items at rarity 5 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

Limited production
Named makers
Growing collector demand

Confidence Factors

Presence of authentic kiln nail marks in glaze
Mortar residue and porous earthenware body consistent with 17th-century manufacture
Spontaneous brushwork in cobalt blue matches period examples

How does authenticity detection work?

CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT

Ceramics Historian & Kiln Specialist

Ceramics Expert

High confidence due to clear visual evidence of manufacturing techniques (nail holes, paste type, and ossekop corners) that are difficult to accurately replicate in modern fakes.

KEY EVIDENCE

1Ox-head corner motifs are diagnostic markers for mid-17th century production.
2The presence of three pin-sized holes near the corners indicates the use of traditional wooden pinning boards during decoration.
3The coarse, yellowish-pink paste exposed at the chips is a classic 'Delffse plate-backers' recipe.
4Cobalt blue pigment has 'bled' slightly into the lead-tin glaze, creating a soft halo characteristic of genuine period firing.

UNCERTAINTIES

•The significant chip at the bottom reduces the value by approximately 40-50% compared to a pristine example.
•Rust-colored stains suggest the tile was exposed to moisture or iron-rich mortar for a long period.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

→Measure exact dimensions; 13.0cm to 13.4cm is the standard for this era.
→Check for any modern epoxy restorations under UV light, particularly around the damaged edge.

CONDITION & GRADE

Condition

Significant loss to the lower edge affecting the base of the scene; widespread crazing and minor iron staining (rust spots) on the glaze surface; heavy mortar residue on the reverse.

Weight & feel

Substantial and dense for its 13cm size, weighing approximately 250–300g, consistent with hand-pressed low-fire clay.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$150 - $350

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

Specialist antique tile collectors and interior designers seeking authentic Dutch Golden Age architectural fragments.

What increases value

•Rarity of the 'Two Cavalier' motif compared to common single-figure or floral types
•Clarity of the cobalt blue brushwork
•Authenticity of the 17th-century earthenware body