In the beginning of the 17th century the first pieces of porcelain were imported from China and Japan by the East Indian trade Company. In the Netherlands, people were bedazzled by this blue-and-white ceramics and it became a true mania. In Delft they invented a ceramics that copied the Eastern porcelain. This became a flourishing industry in Delft and gained worldwide fame until today: Delftware.
The Kenzan is a small iron object with little spikes on it, used for flower arrangements and Ikebana. With this tool flowers, leaves and branches can be arranged in bowls, plates and vases, following the guide of Eastern philosophic ideas of nature and composition.
"It is this historical combination of the two rich traditions that has become the inspiration for my design," says Maaike Roozenburg. "Taking visual elements and techniques from both traditions, I have combined them to create a new interpretation of Delftware. East finally meets West again."
The Delft Blue pieces were made in the workshop of Royal Delft (De koninklijke Porceleyne Fles). This is the only surviving ceramic "factory" in Delft, were Delftware still is produced and decorated by hand following the techniques developed in the 17th century. The three pieces are based on 17th century models; the Leeuwenpul (vase-with-lid), the Kastkom ('cabinet-bowl') and Schotel (platter).
The three unique Kenzan are made of cast iron that was hand poured in sand using traditional techniques.
