Friday, September 26, 2014

Delft Pottery


 
The tag says that it costs 550 Euros for the set. A bit steep I must say but when you look at the effort that has gone into the making of this pair, I think it is worth reconsidering.

Had been to the Delft Pottery in Netherlands about six months ago. A visit to the factory is worth it if you are in Netherlands.

 

They take you through a set of articles that are on display with special mention about how it was made. For example “The Night Watchman” is a collection of 480 tiles of 18x18cms.   


 
The original painting of 1642 by Rembrandt was 13 ft x 16 ft. It took more than a year for two master painters to convert this on to the tiles by individually painting them by hand.



 
The best part was that the tiles were sold even before the painting was over. To this day the owner has loaned the set to the museum so that the visitors can enjoy this unique piece.
Before you enter this section, there is an audio visual display giving you a brief history of how Delft pottery came into Netherlands.






 
Time stands still on this table with the Delft pottery. 



King Willem III has donated his collection with the condition that it will be exhibited in a "dignified fashion"

 






 
Some of the other exhibits



 



 
I admire this model who agreed to wear all this pottery and walk the ramp



The old drafting board that was used by them is also one of the exhibits






Further down one can have a glimpse at their factory where each piece is physically examined by a person and final touches given with the help of a leg operated “pottery wheel” 
 
In another corner one can see the artists painting each piece. Don’t miss the transistor in the background. I observed these transistors even in the factory where it was splashed by the paint and wet mud, but who cares, music is more important. 
 



 
Further down there is a display of the items that are for sale.
 
 


 
 
All in all a good experience. Have made a 8 min video with more photographs:


 

23 comments:

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
You brought back memories! Visited there in 1972 and the ring I bought was with me until 2000 - a house move resulted in some losses, including the Delft ring... Have since been gifted a pair of decorative clogs! Love the stuff. Can't afford to collect it...sigh... thanks for this! YAM xx

Jeannette said...

I must be content with the picture of these pretties...and about the couple in the first picture...do they ever kiss? Thank you for sharing your visit. I enjoyed it.

TexWisGirl said...

i don't collect china or pottery or figurines, but it is pretty stuff with a long history. :)

Our photos said...

You have made an interesting visit

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

So much to see and all so beautiful. Your photos present a lovely tour of your visit! I don't think a dress would be very practical but I really like the earrings!

Bikram said...

Looks awesome and than you for sharing it with us ..


Bikram

Connie said...

These are beautiful pieces. “The Night Watchman” tiles are amazing!

Preeti said...

Wow. The Night watchman is simply wonderful! And the Royal Cutlery. I must go to this place for sure.

Preeti said...

*Just a curious question:: How do you get permission to film these people? I generally freak out even before I take a picture, while I write for my blog. Please help.

Haddock said...

There is nothing to it. Preeti. If photography and filming is allowed then you have to just roll the camera. As for how I do it, my camera has a swivel screen at the back. So I swivel it at a different angle while the lens is pointed to the subject. This helps me in capturing natural candid movements as most of the time they think that I am fiddling with my camera and not shooting them :-)

Unknown said...

How amazing. Pottery is such a delicate art. I admire how they got all the details on the small earrings by hand.

Julia Thorley said...

I was brought up in the UK potteries area, where a trip to the Wedgwood factory was a regular on the school calendar.

Out on the prairie said...

A tour I missed.There is a store near me that carries a few pieces and they are what everyone is after.

T. Becque said...

Fine things to see!

Linda said...

An array of lovely things here!

Ginny Hartzler said...

What a good insiders look! I have heard of Delft ever since I was a child, but have never seen any. Now I have. I would also love to have the small china cabinet, it is gorgeous.

Ivy and Elephants said...

Such a great tour! Interesting and oh so beautiful, too.
I wish I had one of those tulip vases, love them!
Hugs,
Patti

A Cuban In London said...

Agree with you. When you factor in the effort that went into creating those two figures, they're worht that money. Interesting tour. Thanks.

Greetings from London.

Rama Ananth said...

It is indeed a treat to the eyes: such wonderful creations!
Would definitely visit this place, if I am there.

My blog-My Space said...

I was in Delft for 2 days a fortnight ago. those clicks of china clay white and blue goodies made me nostalgic. A beautiful country Netherland is, Delft was a gem...lovely pictorial tour. Loved it!

My blog-My Space said...

That beautiful painting of a girl by Johannes Vermeer..Awesome.

Amogha Rejeesh said...

Lovely! Took me all the way back to Keat's Grecian Urn :)

Locomente said...

This was truly informative and interesting!