Royal Delft Tile Extinct Animals, Dwarf Rhino

Royal Delft Tile Extinct Animals, Dwarf Rhino.

Moooi x Royal Delft present a special collection: original Delft Blue tiles from the Extinct Animals collection by Moooi. Inspired by the enchanting illustrations from The Museum of Extinct Animals, eight unique ceramic tiles have been designed and handcrafted in the studio in Delft.

Each tile depicts an extinct animal species in fine Delft Blue and together they form an impressive and artistic collection. An ode to bygone beauty, captured in traditional craftsmanship and timeless design.

The arrival of the first rhinoceros in Europe prompted a flurry of drawings of a horned creature clad in hard plate armor. Its exotic appearance and warlike demeanor captured the imagination of many.

The Dwarf Rhino was the smallest of the rhinoceros family. Weighing in at just a few hundred kilograms, it was a lightweight compared to its formidable cousins, which could weigh up to 2.3 tons. When it was first spotted, explorers couldn’t help but laugh. They joked about its size and even thought they could pet it – until the startled animal charged at them, its armored skin glistening in the sunlight.

The unique texture of its old skin, with characteristic grayish and brownish folds that divided its body into segments, gave it the imposing appearance of medieval armor. The males in particular would carefully polish their “gear” during the mating season. They scraped their skin against rough ground, took a mud bath, and then let it all dry in the sun – ready for battle.

The Dwarf Rhino is a tribute to the unexpected: small in size, but big in charisma – a piece of mythical nature in the form of timeless craftsmanship.

A decorative tile in any modern interior

This tile is one of eight unique tiles from the Extinct Animals collection by Moooi x Royal Delft. The special tile, handmade in the studio in Delft, has a subtle hanging hook. This makes it easy to hang as a work of art – for example next to wall plates or other decorative elements.

Do you want to make the tile stand out even more? Then place it in a matching frame or give it a place on a mantelpiece or shelf. In this way, you not only add a story, but also a piece of artisanal elegance to your interior.

The perfect mix of heritage and contemporary art – a lasting memory of a mythical creature that invites wonder.

Dimensions 13 x 13 cm.