Royal Delft

Royal Delft Porcelain Fles.

Royal Dutch Porcelain Fles is the only remaining pottery factory of the 30 or so that existed in Delft in the 17th century. This iconic company, known for its world-famous Delft Blue, has combined traditional craftsmanship with innovation since 1653.

In the second half of the 16th century, Dutch potters were introduced to colourful, hand-painted pottery, a technique they adopted from Italian craftsmen. Around 1600, everything changed when Chinese porcelain treasures arrived in the Netherlands via the East India Company's shipping. The demand for this exotic blue-and-white porcelain was enormous, and Delft craftsmen set to work developing their own version.

Thanks to experiments with clay and glaze, a unique product was created that quickly became popular worldwide: Delft Blue. Delft grew into the centre of ceramic production, with dozens of factories dominating the market.

In 1653, De Porceleyne Fles was founded by David Anthonisz van der Pieth. Under later owners, such as Wouter van Eenhoorn and Quirinus van Kleijnoven, the company grew into one of the leading pottery producers in Delft. An important innovation followed in 1697, when Johannes Knotter introduced the characteristic bottle as a brand mark.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the Delft pottery industry fell into decline. Mass production and cheaper alternatives displaced the traditional Delft Blue. But in 1876, engineer Joost Thooft brought about a turnaround: he took over De Porceleyne Fles and renewed the production method. By working with sturdier English pottery and new techniques, he managed to restore the quality and reputation of Delft Blue.

Together with business partner Abel Labouchere, Thooft put the brand back on the map. He introduced the recognizable monogram "JT" and the word "Delft", which guaranteed the authentic craftsmanship.

Thanks to their efforts, De Porceleyne Fles was awarded the title "Royal" in 1919. Today, it is the only remaining Delft pottery factory and a symbol of Dutch craftsmanship worldwide.

With a rich history of over 370 years, De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles continues to innovate, while at the same time honouring the traditional craft of hand-painted pottery. A timeless icon, beloved by collectors and admirers all over the world.