Gouda Pottery

Gouda Pottery is one of the most popular ceramic designs to emerge from Northern Europe outside of Delftware. Its name hails from the region of Gouda in southern Holland, which became popular among potters thanks to its rich deposits of clay.

The area of Gouda has been a hub of pottery production since the mid-18th century, when vessels were primarily produced for utilitarian purposes. Pottery was elevated to an art form in the following century. Leading designers from PHZ (Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland) to Regina took to experimenting with glazing to create compelling designs.

Part of this rise in aesthetic treatment was due to the Art Nouveau movement, which stressed the artistry of design. Resulting were pottery pieces with eclectic and colorful patterns derived from organic and natural references that still resonate among collectors today.

Quick Facts

• The different makers of the Gouda region can be distinguished by the maker’s marks that appear on each vessel. The PHZ mark, for example, resembles a miniature bell or clock tower with a rounded top
• The most coveted designs from Gouda typically date to the '20s and '30s due to their brilliant color the experimentation with semi-matte glazes
• If you’re a fan of Gouda pieces and are planning a trip to the Netherlands, make a note of the Museum Gouda, located east of The Hague and Rotterdam in the heart of the Netherlands