Royal Delft Museum
Photo: Own work — CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Discover the world of Delft Blue at the Royal Delft Museum, the last remaining 17th-century Delftware factory, showcasing both historical and contemporary pieces.
Planning your visit
Royal Delft is the last of the thirty-odd Delftware factories that operated in the seventeenth century, founded in 1653 and still producing by hand.
Delft blue began as imitation: Chinese porcelain arrived through the East India Company, demand outstripped supply, and Dutch potters produced tin-glazed earthenware painted in cobalt to resemble it. The result became a distinct tradition, and when Chinese imports resumed the Dutch product had established itself.
The museum covers that history with historical pieces, contemporary work, and the reproduction of Rembrandt's Night Watch in tiles.
The working factory is the reason to come. Painters decorate pieces freehand at their benches, in view, and the skill is considerable — the cobalt appears black before firing, so painters work without seeing the colour they are producing.
Painting workshops are available.
Allow ninety minutes. Bookable options include private Delft tours with the museum. Current availability is shown below.
Before you book
Where is Royal Delft Museum?
Royal Delft Museum is in Delft, Netherlands. The map on this page marks its exact location.
How long should I allow for Royal Delft Museum?
Allow ninety minutes. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Do I need to book Royal Delft Museum in advance?
Private tours are arranged for a set date and time, so they need booking in advance.
