Antique Dutch Blue & White Royal Delft Commemorative Plate Godt Behoede Leiden 1574 - 1924.

The tin glazed earthenware plate decorated in shades of blue with the tower of the Academie building on the Rapenburg of the Leiden university, the oldest university in the Netherlands with the red, white & blue coloured flag. On the right the coat of arms of Leiden. In the rim with Hering and Bread and floral swags the text:

1574 – 1924  &  GODT BEHOEDE LEYDEN
,  end of Siege of Leiden by the Spanish troops and de Watergeuzen brought herring and Whitebread on theis ship, still celebrated on October 3rd. (For the Prince Willem of Orange. 350 years celebration of independence from Spain.)
Signed on the back in underglaze blue for:
De PORCELEYNE FLES  -  ROYAL DELFT
DELFT – HOLLAND  & AT  =  1924
Painter: VH = Gijsbertus van Heijenoort
Employment dates: 1891 - 1940.

Diam.: 17,9 cm.  (7,1 inches.)        
Weight: 233 grams.