Tin glazed earthenware was made in England from 1550.  Only in Georgian times did it come to be known as delft ware, the small initial is often used to distinguish English from Dutch examples.

Early wares showed the impact  of Italian and French pottery, then ( from 1600) of Chinese blue and white porcelain, although many wares are highly individual.  As links with Holland increase in  the late 17th century, Dutch delft affected English styles.

Chargers and some other associated shapes are decorated with a range of subjects including animals, domestic scenes, landscapes, and patterns of leaves, fruit and geometrical signs.  Particularly collectable, even when damaged are depictions of folk heroes, monarchs, or  The temptation of Adam and Eve.

Typical examples of 17 century London delft, made at Southwark, are posset pots and white glazed wine bottles.  Some London Delft followed the Italian tradition of all over decoration , in various shades of blue combined with small  amounts of other colours.

The Southwark potteries set the seeds of later  factories  at Lambeth, Bristol and Liverpool.  Bristol had the broadest pallet and the brightest colours, painted on a pinkish buff body.  Decoration of in manganese as well as blue was used in Bristol, Brislington and Win canton.  At Liverpool some transfer printing on Delft was done.  Production of delftware was all but ceased by 1800.

Delftware  in flawless condition is a great rarity and small signs of damage is acceptable.  Rims have seldom escaped chipping.  Large decorative pieces such as chargers and bowls have considerable value even if broken and re-stuck.