How A Pottery Artist Keeps The Dutch Ceramics Tradition Alive

A visit behind the scenes of a family-owned traditional pottery factory in Delft (Holland) where the owner, Steffan, makes ceramics in the same way as the 17th-century Dutch ceramics masters. He’s the 4th generation in his family keeping the Delft Blue tradition alive.

He painstakingly creates meaningful pieces from clay and glazes, to be sold in his shop, where an authentic piece can cost thousands of euros. Our short visit gave us some insight into his artistic process and an opportunity to see some of his pieces up close.

As Steffan points out, the ceramics market is facing tough times in the Netherlands and across the globe as mass production takes over from traditional ways of doing things and lots of fake goods are flooding the market.

These pieces are often bought by tourists visiting Delft, but could you tell an authentic piece from a fake one? Steffan gives us a tour of his factory and explains the process behind making just one simple piece of art for his shop.

This story is part of my series "A Labour of Love" celebrating art and craftsmanship in different countries, focusing on people who keep the traditions alive.

Featured in this video:
The Candelaer https://candelaer.nl/
IG: @candelaerdelft

Filmed and edited by: Zuzanna Jakubczak, www.zuzannaj.com
Music: Epidemic Sound: https://share.epidemicsound.com/vubib3
Additional Footage: Wikimedia Commons, The Rijksmuseum

🎥 My Camera gear:
Camera: https://amzn.to/3VxCbRF
Gimbal: https://amzn.to/42oe0Hu
Lens: https://amzn.to/42soLZj
Drone: https://amzn.to/42qATKf
Microphone Wireless: https://amzn.to/427XQlS
Shotgun Mic: https://amzn.to/3NKcj2X
Tripod: https://amzn.to/3pakgnS

Many thanks to Yvette from Explore Delft for showing me around Delft and introducing me to Steffan and his wonderful studio.
Explore Delft https://explore-delft.nl/
IG: @Explore.delft