The collection of ceramics in the Rijksmuseum is somewhat underexposed. Everyone knows “het Rijks” of Rembrands “The Night Watch” and other paintings. But ceramics enthusiasts will also get their money’s worth! Men with beards, women in blue, white gold and much more…
How much more? 7,250 more to be exact… Because that’s how extensive the ceramics collection in the Rijksmuseum is. Reason enough to start this new year off right with a fresh dive into ceramics history.
Has the handmade ceramic tradition disappeared in Western Europe?
That’s what it looked like when I visited Höhr-Grenzhausen last summer. This small town is the center of the “Kannenbäckerland“. This region in Germany is known as “Pottery Country“. It grew from the 14th century into one of the most important ceramics centers of Western Europe.
From the 15th century onwards, the “Westerwald stoneware” was developed here. Stronger (and fired much higher) than the common produced earthenware in Europe at that time. But what made it unique in the world was the “salt glaze” with which the pots were finished.
I love and make stoneware ceramics. In addition, I get a lot of inspiration from traditional pottery shapes. I like to be in woodland. In short, reasons enough to visit this region and to get to know one of my European ceramic roots.
