Bord, beschilderd met het familiewapen Oskamp (?) 1787

This plate was produced by De Porceleyne Byl, and it’s decorated with the Oskamp family crest. It's made of tin-glazed earthenware, also known as Delftware, a material and tradition that originated in the Netherlands. The production of Delftware involved specific making processes that gave the surface of the plate its distinctive opaque, milky-white glaze, which was then painted with cobalt oxide to produce the blue decoration. Delftware became extremely popular due to its visual similarities to Chinese porcelain, which was imported to the Netherlands via the East India Company. However, Chinese porcelain was extremely expensive and Delftware provided a more affordable alternative. The Oskamp family crest, rendered in this blue pigment, adds a layer of social significance to the object. Crests like this were a statement of identity, family history, and social standing, often commissioned by wealthy families. So next time you see Delftware, remember that it’s not just a pretty object. It's a symbol of trade, consumer demand, and the social hierarchies of its time.