In 2019 a unique collaboration emerged between two traditional crafts from an old world. Both brought here overseas from the east. Rich in culture, tradition and symbolism. Art forms applied by hand, one time only. With a needle in the skin or with a brush on the biscuit. Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo is a story about faith, hope and love, made up of exclusively designed hand-painted objects and transfer pieces.
“Ink connects. Layered, deep-rooted and respectful, an ode to Delft Blue and to the art of tattooing.”
Henk Schiffmacher
Tattoo artist
With this new plate, tattoo artist Henk Schiffmacher sets course for the waters of Amsterdam. The decoration shows an imposing ship in full sail: not a specific vessel, but a powerful tribute to the maritime heritage of the Netherlands.
The rim of the plate incorporates Amsterdam's iconic triple X as a subtle but recognisable reference to the city. This design fits seamlessly with the other themes within the Henk Schiffmacher collection.
For the year of the dragon in 2024, Schiffmacher designed a set of three dragon plates: the Water Dragon, the Tribal Dragon and the Blue Dragon.
Dragons are seen as powerful, charismatic creatures associated with pride, vitality, enthusiasm, irresistibility, zeal, success, extraversion and inspiration, and they are especially well loved. People born in 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 or 2012 have the dragon as their Chinese zodiac sign. Chinese astrology also works with different elements. On these plates the dragon is depicted together with the element water.
“The middle plate is a water dragon. The water dragon is the most important astrological symbol there is.” – Henk Schiffmacher
The hand-painted ‘Saint George and the Dragon’ bowl features a central decoration telling the centuries-old story of George of Cappadocia, who took on the dragon. A mythical tale that stands for the eternal battle between good and evil. ‘Saint George and the Dragon’ is a spectacular, richly decorated large classic octagonal bowl by Royal Delft, produced in a strictly limited, exclusive edition of 40 pieces.
“I love the stories of the early saints, from the time when the church was still taking shape. My grandfather told me these stories. And so too this striking old tale of Saint George and the Dragon. The darkness of the battle and the landscape of that extraordinary region of Cappadocia, where the fight took place, come out beautifully on this large bowl.” – Henk Schiffmacher
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
The entire Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo collection grew out of a close collaboration between Henk Schiffmacher, the master painters and the Royal Delft design team. Designs such as the ‘Memento Mori Plate’ come from Schiffmacher, with a Royal Delft master painter adding the finishing touches.
Hendrikus (“Henk”) Johannes Everhardus Schiffmacher was born in 1952 and is one of the best-known Dutch tattoo artists. From an early age Schiffmacher was interested in sketching and drawing. In his younger years he often entered drawing competitions, and frequently won them. His artistic ambition led him to the School of Advertising in Amsterdam. His interest in tattooing began after he walked past a tattoo shop in Amsterdam one afternoon. That interest developed into an art form of its own that many a tattoo artist can only dream of. Through his many travels Henk Schiffmacher became inspired by the age-old ritual of tattooing. The unique collaboration between two traditional crafts from an old world is therefore also reflected in the Delft Blue pieces. Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo is a story about faith, hope and love.
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Elk huisnummer is met de hand gemaakt en vertaalt twee traditionele ambachten naar een eigentijds keramisch ontwerp.
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
Schiffmacher Royal Blue Tattoo
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