In 1900, chemist Jurriaan Kok developed an extremely thin type of porcelain, later known as eggshell porcelain because of its wafer-thin, translucent surface.
This innovation made it possible to create extremely delicate and lightweight tableware and decorative objects, which caused a sensation in Europe.
The decorations were hand-painted in the Art Nouveau style, often with motifs of exotic flowers, birds, and graceful lines. The most important designer was Samuel Schellink, whose work is still highly regarded.
Rozenburg eggshell porcelain was internationally acclaimed, including at the 1900 World's Fair in Paris, where it was greatly admired. However, the production process proved to be very labor-intensive and expensive, making it financially difficult to sustain. In 1914, the factory ceased production of eggshell porcelain.
Today, Rozenburg eggshell porcelain is highly prized by collectors for its combination of technical perfection and artistic refinement.
