Sunday, May 22, 2022

My Small Collection



Today I want to tell you about the art of painting in cobalt blue on white ceramics. I like this ceramic art and I would like to have a collection of these pieces. 

Some facts from the history of cobalt blue design. The cobalt blue patterned and white pottery dates back centuries. The Chinese, Japanese, Persians and Turks managed to get their hands on this fantastic way of painting porcelain and ceramics. In Europe, around the 17th and 18th centuries, craftsmen began to paint patterns in cobalt blue on white pottery.

So, when I was in the Netherlands, I really wanted to come to the city of Delft and visit the ceramic manufacture. I was happy to buy a bus tour and go there. I was able to look at the whole process of making such beautiful pieces.

 

Ceramic wares prepared for kiln firing

Modern automatic firing kiln

Products prepared for drawing patterns


In the 18th century the Dutch  depicted windmills, seascapes, and tulips in their drawings. The Spanish masters preferred birds and pomegranates, while the French depicted textile patterns. In Russia, craftsmen made ceramic figurines of people, animals, birds and painted them with cobalt blue patterns.
 
 

The artist manually applies a pattern to a plate
 

 Exposition in the factory museum
 

 
I saw a tea cup painted cobalt blue in Delft. It was so elegant, made of fine porcelain and with a beautiful dark blue handle. Of course I bought it and that's how my collection began.



 
 
The cup was followed by two tiles of a floral pattern and a view of Amsterdam, a plate with a charming cobalt blue rose pattern and a miniature figurine of a kissing couple.
Amazing figurines of a rooster and chicken were bought in St. Petersburg.
 
 





 
 
The two cobalt blue tiles are hanged above the fireplace in the dining room, and a tulip vase sits on a small table. They remind me of my visit to the Netherlands, Delft.
 




 
 
a special vase for tulips
   
 

I really hope that my collection will grow when we can travel. 

Do you have a collection of favorite items like cobalt blue ceramics? 

Or maybe figurines, books, postcards, postage stamps, badges, dolls, etc.? If not, would you like to have one?

 





 

19 comments:

  1. I am sure that I would very much enjoy your collection, Nadezda. Defltware is the very finest of this type of porcelain and is treasured by many. It has been imitated, but never equalled.

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    1. You are right David, Delft porcelain is very famous and popular. I drink coffee from my collectible Delft cup only on special occasions :)

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  2. They are very beautiful Nadezda! It must have been wonderful for you to visit Delft. I like white and blue porselain too. I collect Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates. They are white and blue.

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    1. Marit, I remember these wonderful Royal Copehagen plates! There's a very subtle and exquisite pattern there, especially on the Royal Christmas plates.

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  3. Hello Nadezda ! I love this post because I became fascinated with Delft ware when we lived in the Netherlands .. I collected beautiful large plates to hang .. Ginger Jars ... and lots of tiles, at the Zwart Market mostly . Those items and the wooden speculaas boards that decorate my entry way, are my favorite reminders of my four years living and exploring there.
    Your collection is very pretty ! We drove to Delft ourselves but I wish so much we had been on a tour, it would have been perfect to pick some lovely pieces up like you have !
    Joy :-)

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    1. That is an interesting thing Joy - we both love Delft items, mine remind me the days I spent in the Netherlands. Love porcelain plates to hang too. Hugs.

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  4. These pieces are so beautiful and so wonderfully crafted. Your cobalt blue tiles and vases are stunning!

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  5. Me encanta esta cerámica Nadezda y su color. Es preciosa. En Portugal son famosos sus baldosines con estos colores. Se pueden en las paredes representando gráficamente motivos de su historia. Gracias deseo que estés bien.
    Buena semana.
    Un abrazo.

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    1. Este arte es popular en muchos países, Laura. La cerámica de Portugal es hermosa. Que tengas una buena semana también.

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  6. Hi Nadezda,
    Beautiful pieces, I especially loved the vase for the tulips, it's wonderful.
    Hugs and all the best

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    1. This vase is very unusual, Maria. I always put tulips there. Happy week!

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  7. Bonita tu colección, yo colecciono monedas, sellos, también empecé con jarrones. Besos.

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    1. Seguro tus colecciones son bonitas, Teresa. Quisiera ver tus jarrones. Un abrazo.

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  8. What a beautiful and interesting post, dear Nadezda! I too love especially the teacup and the figurines.
    Finally the warm weather has arrived here and I believe also to your town. :) I hope you are well and enjoying the happy things of life.
    I hadn't heard of Signora Volpe. It seems to be a series I would definitely like to see.
    Stay safe and well!

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    1. The warm weather arrived! we have +20 C, Sara. I do think June will be warm month here. Glad you liked my Delft items.

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