Obama and Rutte talk against backdrop of restored flower pyramid

Replica of a 17^th-century flower pyramid

We are not certain whether the tiles were made in the kiln at Makkum. But we can be sure when it comes to the flower pyramid: this is a replica that Tichelaar made for the Rijksmuseum three years ago. Together with four contemporary interpretations of it, this replica is the result of the Rijksmuseum’s earlier commission to restore the 17^th-century flower pyramids that it had purchased. “The presentation of the reproduction and the four contemporary flower pyramids is a high point in our history,” said Jan Tichelaar. “It is marvellous that it has been used as the centrepiece in a conversation between Obama and Rutte.”

Restoration of these most precious items

Koninklijke Tichelaar Makkum is the only remaining company that has remained faithful to the original techniques of Delft earthenware. As a consequence of this age-old expertise, the company is able to carry out the restoration of exceptional items of 17^th- and 18^th-century Delft earthenware. This is why the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam approached us for the restoration of two flower pyramids from 1695. They are counted among the finest items in the museum’s collection. These flower pyramids were made by the Delft company ‘De Grieksche A’, which was making earthenware in the late 17^th and early 18^th centuries.

In addition to ordinary earthenware, ‘De Grieksche A’ also made a number of showpieces of the highest quality. These flower pyramids are one example. It was a challenge to match this quality.