Royal Makkum Tichelaar, Makkum, The Netherlands

The oldest ceramic company in the Netherlands, Royal Makkum Tichelaar’s roots go back as far as 1572 but today presents a pivotal position of expertise, working directly with designers, artists and architects collaboratively to produce bespoke ceramics.

Back in the day, Makkum Tichelaar were known for their bricks and tiles, which then moved into the pottery business. Finding their niche within the arts, the Tichelaar family took over the company in 1831 and decorative pottery graced their output, with clay and glaze characterising their painstakingly hand-painted work. They were also purveyors of Delft earthenware or faience which was the artistry involved in the iconic tin-glazed blue and white Dutch pottery.

Moving into the 19th century, the production of tiles became industrialised, with mainstream production making tiles easily manufactured for commercial use, and the slow artistry of glazed tiles fell out of favour. However, Makkum Tichelaar stayed true to their ethos, keeping the traditions alive, a strategy that has served them well - Koninlijke Tichelaar remains the only factory in Europe, and their honed expertise is much sought after.

Today the relevance of this preserved craft can be seen as a wholesome and rooted addition to a range of projects, from the tiny detail to the large structure: a glazed bathroom to a complete building facade, a huge art installation to a tiled edge of a roof. Tichelaar’s key skill in restoration has also seen their involvement in some eye-catching and innovative art projects, such as the remastering of a tunnel below Amsterdam’s Central Station, in collaboration with artist Irma Boom, where an 18th century masterpiece has been revived with the help of 46,000 Delft Blue tiles, carefully hand-painted to replicate the original artwork. 

Another stunning collaboration can be seen at the Museum de Fundatie in Zwolle, with a modern extension designed by architect Bierman Henket Architects. Called the ‘eye’, the extension can be seen in elliptical shape, swathed in ceramic tiles from Tichelaar.

A more recent design intervention can be found just outside of downtown Amsterdam at the newly opened boutique hotel De Durgerdam. Interior design studio Buro Belén opted to use the glazed copper ceramic tiles, handmade for the project with a specific colour match to the surrounding IJmeer lake panorama and traditional hues of this coastal escape. Royal Makkum has also worked with contemporary designers as Hella Jongerius, Alexander Van Slobbe and Dick Van Hoff.

Clay and glazes remain the mainstay raw material in a Tichelaar tile; modern methods such as 3D printing and the constant experimentation with glazing will keep this forward-thinking company deservedly in the limelight.