Royal Sphinx Maastricht Commemorative Plate 1981

This ceramic plate is a commemorative item produced by the renowned Dutch company Royal Sphinx to mark the European Council meeting (Europese Topconferentie) held in Maastricht on March 23-24, 1981. This historic summit was a precursor to the later Maastricht Treaty, which established the European Union.

The plate features classic Delft Blue style imagery, showcasing local landmarks of Maastricht including the 'Mooswief' statue and the 'Minckelers' statue, along with a map of the European Economic Community as it existed in 1981. While the Sphinx brand has a long history dating back to Petrus Regout in the 19th century, this specific ceramic piece represents the high-quality earthenware craftsmanship traditional to the Limburg region of the Netherlands.

Over the years, the brand ownership has transitioned from the original Regout family enterprises. As of the current period leading into 2024 and beyond, the Sphinx brand name (primarily used for sanitary ware) is part of the Geberit Group, a Swiss multinational specialized in sanitary products, though the production of traditional decorative ceramic plates like this one has largely ceased or moved into the antique and collector markets.