The Mold & The Casting
The liquid clay is poured into the specially made plaster molds, which have the shape of the piece to be cast.
Waterworks x Royal Delft
Where Two Traditions Meet
Since 1653, Royal Delft has been synonymous with the craftsmanship of Delft Blue. Waterworks, the American design house renowned for its high-end bathroom fittings and accessories, selected Royal Delft as its partner to bring this centuries-old tradition into a new context.
Inspired by historic Delftware motifs and the elegance of the Edwardian era, the collection brings together Dutch ceramic heritage and timeless design. Through extensive research and innovative techniques, the distinctive blue-and-white decorations have been reimagined for exclusive bathroom fittings and accessories.
Each pattern is hand-painted by Royal Delft’s master painters, using techniques refined over centuries. Every piece is unique, bearing the individual signature of its maker.
Waterworks x Royal Delft is a meeting of tradition and innovation, bringing the art of Delft Blue into the contemporary interior.
Discover the World of Delft Blue
An exclusive invitation to visit our historic factory and museum in Delft, The Netherlands
Are you planning to visit the Netherlands in the near future? We would be delighted to welcome you to our museum and factory in Delft, where you can experience firsthand how these iconic products are made.
Step into the Royal Delft Museum and discover the rich heritage behind the world-renowned Delft Blue. During your visit, you will enter the last remaining Delft Blue factory, where craftsmanship has been preserved since 1653.
Kindly enter your details below to receive your complimentary tickets. You will receive a confirmation by email.
Inside De Porceleyne Fles
Where craftsmanship has been shaped for 374 years.
Same building. Same recipe. Same gesture of the brush, passed painter to painter since 1653.
Sponging
Once all the water is absorbed in the mold, the mold can be opened, releasing the object. Casting seams are manually touched up and sponged until smooth.
Spraying & Firing
The clay receives a special layer of diluted clay called 'engobe'. The product is then placed in the oven for the first time and fired to a temperature of 1100°C. After 24 hours, the product, now called 'biscuit', is removed from the oven.
Decorating
The pottery painters hand-paint the traditional Royal Delft decorations on the vase. They do this with special brushes and a black cobalt oxide-based paint. The painter can achieve endless shades of color by using more or less water in the paint.
Glazing & Firing
The decorated piece is now sprayed with glaze. The glaze gives the painting a white opaque layer. The vase then goes into the oven for 24 hours. During the second firing at 1200°C, the glaze melts into a transparent layer and the color of the decorations changes from black to blue. The chemical and physical reactions between sherd, engobe, paint and glaze determine the typical Delft Blue color.
Stories from the atelier.
New collections, painter profiles, and collection previews - delivered once a month.
