De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles Delft, The Netherlands August 17 OK, OK, more porcelain. Sorry, but we couldn't go to Goebel and Meissen without going to Delft. There were three pottery factories in Delft 20 years ago but only two remain and only one is open to the public; the De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles.

The company was formed in 1653 and until 1880 made glazed building tiles in all sorts of fancy patterns. By the late 19th century that was passé and they revitalized with a complete turnaround to hand-painted tableware. Now they make all kinds of vases and knick-knacks and have a huge variety of products, most made in very small quantities at very high prices.

The guided tour is short and it shows a small portion of the factory that was obviously set aside specifically for the tour. Available in Dutch, English, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. Once the tour is done, you are free to wander at will through the displays of older works, new works coming up, and of course the gift shop.

Two painters sit hunched over all day while tourists gawk.

Three kilns are on display but, again, this is just the show-off area.

Raw clay, fired, painted, and fired again.

Blackware.

Special works.

An 8ft high copy of Rembrandt's Nightwatch was painted by 2 people over a full year.

They do lots of commemorative plates.

This one is for the occupation of The Netherlands.

And this one for it's liberation.

The Holland Bunny is popular and available on lots of products.

Decorative tiles are still made but they are in typical (6x6") size and flat instead of the decorative outdoor wall tiles of yesteryear.

These were in the Men's room - with the following sign.