Aronson Antiquairs of Amsterdam

Aronson Antiquairs of Amsterdam Specialists in 17th & 18th century Dutch Delftware Aronson Antiquairs is now in its fifth generation.

Robert Aronson runs this gallery on the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat which was founded in 1881. In the gallery you will find some of the earliest objects made by the Delft factories in the 17th century, and a superb collection of polychrome animals, figures, plaques and chargers from the 18th century.

Music played a vital role in Dutch life, resonating across all levels of society. In refined circles, intimate musical g...
19/06/2026

Music played a vital role in Dutch life, resonating across all levels of society. In refined circles, intimate musical gatherings became a favored pastime, a graceful setting where men and women could meet, converse, and perform together. Dutch paintings from the eighteenth century often depict these lively moments, where music and dance embody both social harmony and romantic charm.

This blue and white oval plaque, made in Amsterdam circa 1740, captures that spirit with remarkable delicacy. A stylish lady sits between a violinist and another woman holding a musical score, while wine and conversation flow at the table. Behind them, a classical backdrop, inspired more by Southern Europe than by the Dutch interior, evokes an air of timeless elegance.

In art, the pairing of music and wine often alludes to seduction. Could this scene hint at something more than mere entertainment? Perhaps, but, as with much eighteenth-century art, its true meaning remains an alluring mystery.

🔹 Delve into details:
Blue and White Oval Plaque
Amsterdam, circa 1740
Object no. D8231

For centuries, mermaids occupied a fascinating place in the imagination of sailors, scholars, and artists alike. In the ...
18/06/2026

For centuries, mermaids occupied a fascinating place in the imagination of sailors, scholars, and artists alike. In the Dutch Republic, where life was deeply connected to the sea, these mythical creatures appeared on maps, tiles, prints, and decorative objects, embodying both wonder and mystery.

This delightful Delft figure, created around 1760, depicts a mermaid sounding a yellow horn as she emerges from stylized waves and rocky outcrops. Her blue hair, scaly tail, and vibrant polychrome decoration bring the figure vividly to life. Inspired by motifs found in Dutch prints and tile paintings, the horn-blowing mermaid reflects the enduring fascination with maritime folklore that permeated Dutch culture during the eighteenth century.

🔹Delve into details:
Polychrome Figure of a Mermaid
Delft, circa 1760
Object no. D1941

Among the most fascinating commissions produced by the Delft potteries are armorial services, created for distinguished ...
17/06/2026

Among the most fascinating commissions produced by the Delft potteries are armorial services, created for distinguished patrons and often intended to celebrate family heritage, status, and international connections.

This elegant pair of polychrome and gilt plates, dated 1728, is decorated in iron-red, turquoise, and gold around a central coat of arms featuring two hunting horns beneath a ducal coronet. The refined ornamentation reflects the influence of contemporary European decorative arts while remaining unmistakably Delft in character. Nearly three centuries later, the brilliance of their palette and the delicacy of their painting continue to captivate.

🔹Delve into details:
Pair of Polychrome and Gilt Armorial Plates
Delft, dated 1728 in iron-red
Object no. D1124

The distinctive style associated with Samuel van Eenhoorn remains one of the most refined achievements of seventeenth-ce...
16/06/2026

The distinctive style associated with Samuel van Eenhoorn remains one of the most refined achievements of seventeenth-century Delftware. Characterised by delicate landscapes, subtle tonal variations, and finely outlined figures, these pieces reveal the remarkable artistic ambitions of Delft's potters during the seventeenth-century.

This blue and manganese rouleau vase, attributed to De Grieksche A (The Greek A) factory and dating to circa 1680, is painted with figures strolling through a landscape of rocky outcrops, pines, and shrubs. Particularly captivating is the use of trek, the fine blue-black outline accentuating the clothing and facial features, which lends the figures an unusual sense of depth and expression. The softly shaded glaze, varying from pale blue to grey-green and white, further enhances the painterly quality of the decoration.

🔹Delve into details:
Blue and Manganese Rouleau Vase
Delft, circa 1680
Attributed to Samuel van Eenhoorn, De Grieksche A (The Greek A) factory
Object no. D2305

This Museum Monday, we turn our attention to the National Museum in Warsaw (Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie), one of Poland’...
15/06/2026

This Museum Monday, we turn our attention to the National Museum in Warsaw (Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie), one of Poland’s oldest and most distinguished cultural institutions. Founded in 1862, the museum today houses an extraordinary collection of approximately 830,000 objects, spanning centuries of artistic achievement and offering visitors a remarkable journey through European and Polish history.

Among its diverse collections are several fascinating examples of Dutch Delftware, reflecting the enduring appeal and international reach of Delft ceramics around 1700. Highlights include a beautifully painted blue-and-white plate attributed to De Drie Porceleyne Astonnekes (The Three Porcelain Ash Barrels) factory and a striking garden urn from De Grieksche A (The Greek A) factory, both dating to circa 1690. The collection also includes a rare Delft red stoneware teapot, illustrating the innovative experimentation of Delft potters at the turn of the eighteenth century.

These objects not only demonstrate the technical and artistic achievements of Delft’s workshops but also tell a broader story of cultural exchange, collecting, and appreciation across Europe. Their presence in Warsaw serves as a reminder that Delftware has long been admired far beyond the borders of the Netherlands.

💙Have you visited the National Museum in Warsaw, or is it on your list of museums to explore?

14/06/2026

This week, Céline introduces a remarkable pair of Delft rouleau vases dating to circa 1690.

Inspired by Chinese Transitional porcelain, these elegant blue and white vases reflect the fascination with the East that swept through Europe in the late seventeenth century. Their tall cylindrical form, refined proportions, and intricate decoration would have made them highly fashionable objects in the homes of wealthy collectors.

Look closely and you’ll discover a vase filled with blossoming prunus branches painted within each vase, surrounded by scholar’s objects and treasured symbols of prosperity and refinement. It is a beautiful example of how Delft potters transformed Chinese inspiration into something distinctly Dutch.

More than three centuries later, their striking silhouette and luminous cobalt decoration continue to captivate.

🎥 Join Céline as she reveals the story behind this exceptional pair.

📍 Delft, circa 1690
📏 Height: 28.9 cm (11.4 in.)

Coffee has become an essential part of daily life, but how did this beloved beverage first find its place in Dutch socie...
12/06/2026

Coffee has become an essential part of daily life, but how did this beloved beverage first find its place in Dutch society? And what role did Delftware play in its preparation and enjoyment?

In this month's newsletter, we explore the arrival of coffee in the Dutch Republic and how the growing coffee culture influenced the development of Delftware during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. From coffee pots and cups to specialized utensils, Delft potters responded to changing tastes and new rituals surrounding one of the world's most popular drinks.

To read the full article and receive future newsletters, subscribe via our website.

Tea arrived in Europe as an exotic luxury, but by the early eighteenth century it had become a fashionable ritual that t...
11/06/2026

Tea arrived in Europe as an exotic luxury, but by the early eighteenth century it had become a fashionable ritual that transformed daily life. This charming Delftware teapot, made around 1720, reflects how Dutch households embraced the culture of tea drinking and adapted it to their own tastes.

Its bulbous shape is decorated with elegant floral and foliate motifs inspired by Asian porcelain, while the dotted handle and carefully painted accents demonstrate the skill and creativity of Delft potters. Although Delftware teapots were more fragile and less practical than porcelain examples, they remain rare survivors today, offering a glimpse into the social customs and changing drinking habits of the eighteenth century.

💙 Tomorrow we will send out our monthly newsletter, and this edition will be of particular interest to anyone who enjoys a fine cup of tea, or perhaps, even better, coffee. Subscribe on our website and keep an eye on your inbox!

🔹Delve into details:
Blue and White Teapot and Cover
Delft, circa 1720
Object Number: D2544

A fascinating glimpse into the earliest years of Delftware production.Created around 1660, this blue and white Kraak-sty...
10/06/2026

A fascinating glimpse into the earliest years of Delftware production.

Created around 1660, this blue and white Kraak-style charger reflects the profound influence of Chinese porcelain on Dutch ceramic art during the seventeenth century. At its center, two exotic birds rest among flowering branches and rockwork, while the wide rim is divided into alternating panels filled with floral motifs, scrollwork, and decorative elements inspired by imported Chinese wares.
More than 360 years later, the dish still demonstrates the remarkable skill of Delft painters who adapted Asian designs into a distinctly Dutch artistic language.

🔹Delve into details
Blue and White Kraak-Style Charger
Delft, circa 1660
Object number: D1810

This polychrome jug and cover, marked PAK for De Grieksche A factory, was created around 1710, during a period when Delf...
09/06/2026

This polychrome jug and cover, marked PAK for De Grieksche A factory, was created around 1710, during a period when Delft potters were producing some of the most sophisticated earthenware in Europe. Decorated in vibrant cobalt blue and iron-red, the jug is richly adorned with floral motifs, scrolling ornament, and striking ruyi-head designs inspired by Asian decorative arts.

Factories such as De Grieksche A were renowned for their ability to create complete luxury table services and decorative wares for the European elite. More than three centuries later, the brilliance of its colors and the elegance of its design continue to captivate collectors and scholars alike.

💙 Do you prefer classic blue-and-white Delftware or vibrant polychrome examples like this one?

🔹Delve into details
Polychrome Jug and Cover with Metal Mount
Delft, circa 1710
Object Number: D2015

Adres

Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 45-b
Amsterdam

Openingstijden

Maandag 09:30 - 17:30
Dinsdag 09:30 - 17:30
Woensdag 09:30 - 17:30
Donderdag 09:30 - 17:30
Vrijdag 09:30 - 17:30

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+31206233103

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