Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid. Decorative Dutch Delft blue and white tile, dating from the 17th-18th century. Large central motif showing a fully rigged VOC Dutch merchant ship with billowing sails and flying pennants, painted on a white tin-glazed ground. Stylised waves beneath the hull create a sense of movement. Ox-head corner motifs in the four corners. Maritime scenes, particularly sailing ships, are highly desirable subjects in Delftware, valued for their historical and decorative appeal. The tile is presented in a wooden frame of later date, which makes the piece ready for wall display. Size: ± 17 x 17 cm (frame) Tile: ± 13 x 13 cm Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher. Condition: Overall good condition with minor surface wear or glaze imperfections. Presented in a wooden frame of later date and ready for display. -> The Dutch East India Company (VOC) was founded in 1602, becoming the world’s first multinational corporation and the first to issue shares on a stock exchange. Granted a monopoly on trade with Asia, the VOC quickly grew into a global powerhouse, trading in spices, textiles, tea, and porcelain. Its Asian headquarters in Batavia (modern Jakarta) controlled a vast trading network stretching from Japan to South Africa. The company built forts, minted coins, and even waged wars, effectively acting as a state within a state. Profits from the spice trade made the Netherlands one of the wealthiest nations of the 17th century and turned Amsterdam into the financial centre of the world. VOC ships explored new territories, including parts of Australia and New Zealand under Abel Tasman. By the 18th century, corruption, mismanagement, and competition led to its decline. The VOC was dissolved in 1799, and its possessions were taken over by the Dutch government. Despite its fall, the VOC remains a symbol of the Dutch Golden Age, known for its innovation, exploration, and global influence.