导语

  

    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.

内容提要

  

    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.

    Aileen Dawson is the curator responsible for the British Museum's collection of post-Renaissance European ceramics and glass. Her publications include The Art of Worcester Porcelain; French Porcelain: A Catalogue of the British Museum Collection and Masterpieces of Wedgwood.

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