The history of Heinen Delfts Blauw
The founder of Heinen Delfts Blauw is Jaap Heinen, born and raised in Spakenburg. With his creative spirit, he drew and painted his first scenes in the Japanese and Chinese Imari style. From there he would delve into Delft blue. A logical route, because Delft blue originated in the Far East. Jaap is commissioned to paint more often. Vases, plates and patterns of the Spakenburg folk costumes. The hobby takes on serious proportions.
A small workshop in Putten
After moving to Putten, father Jaap starts a small studio there in the early eighties. He masters the whole process. From design to painting and glazing and firing. His craftsmanship is rapidly developing and is known and recognized. At a given moment, customers in the Netherlands find their way to the modest studio.
Son Jorrit now works regularly in the studio. His creativity and practice enables him to make the craft his own. At a given moment Jorrit paints a plate that he can subsequently sell for 25 guildens. The commercial spirit awakened in him and Jorrit decided to go to work with his father. That is an incentive for Jaap to take his hobby seriously again. One day Jaap says to his son: "We'd better find a shop in Amsterdam." And so it goes. In 1985 Jaap buys a shop on the Prinsengracht near the Leidsestraat. Easily visible, passers-by see Jaap and Jorrit at work here daily. Curious tourists find this beautiful. They are increasingly buying pottery.
Jorrit moved with his family to Amsterdam. From Putten, his father Jaap continues to work with him. A new store opens at Spiegelgracht. Here, Jorrit also starts to sell the products of Royal Tichelaar Makkum and The Porceleyne Fles (Royal Delft) from Delft. Other shops follow in Amsterdam and Delft and even in the Caribbean.
Turnover in the souvenir market
From the end of 2007, the economy starts to get rough. Tourists from the American middle class, previously the main customers of Heinen Delfts Blauw, stay away. Fewer hand-painted Delft blue items are sold. All reasons for Heinen Delfts Blauw to change course, choosing to produce Delft blue souvenirs, designed in our own workshop and made in China. To get the quality and delivery times well under control, Heinen Delfts Blauw opens a wholly-owned factory in China in 2010. The focus on the souvenir market appears to be a good move. Heinen Delfts Blauw gets back up.
Revaluation for hand-painted pottery
Despite the success of the souvenir market, the handicraft has always been a passion of Jorrit. Heinen Delfts Blauw, therefore, continues to focus, unabated, on the handicraft which, in the coming years, will be put firmly back on the map. 'Back to basics', states the vision since 2015. With the deployment of the best designers, pottery painters and ceramic engineers, we bring the handicraft and production at the highest possible level. With love for the antique Delft blue craft. And with a vision forward. Tradition and innovation. Creating new traditions.
P.S. Father Jaap Heinen is now retired.
