When Chinese porcelain production began to wane in the mid-seventeenth century, it opened up opportunities for European companies to fill the void. In the Netherlands’s city of Delft alone, thirty-two potteries sprang up, each one intent on capturing its share of the market. It was here, in 1653, that David Anthonisz van der Pieth founded an earthenware factory he named De Porceleyne Fles, which translates as “The Porcelain Jar.”
There is another authentic delftware factory not far away.
I was at Royal Delft last week and their tour guide was very proprietary about Royal Delft being the best.
It is indeed beautiful and very expensive.
You can still buy delftware made in Holland for less. And yes there are Chinese knock offs that are poor quality.