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Meet the Delft blue dodos!

Do you already know our adventurous Delft blue dodos? This artwork by Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk for Heinen Delfts Blauw brings the striking, extinct bird back to life. 'De Blauwe Dodo' is a time traveler, traveling the world as an adventurous loner in search of a family and a new, cozy home. The figurines of an extinct dodo are richly decorated with Delft blue decorations and bear the name De Blauwe Dodo. At first glance, a dodo and Delft blue pottery don't seem to have much in common, but those who dig further into history find that there is indeed a remarkable connection.

Treasure hunter for stories

Artist Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk likes to delve into the history of Asia and the Netherlands, combining old stories with special objects and impressions gained during his travels. This is how he ended up with the story of the dodo. An endearing, cute bird that cannot fly and has virtually no natural enemies. Until the Dutch traders of the 17th century set foot on the island and seriously disturbed the habitat of this legendary bird. The animal is eaten, new enemies such as monkeys and pigs are introduced, and a few dodos are taken on board to give as gifts to emperors or to be viewed as curiosities. All this leads to the extinction of the dodo.

“The dodo has long played a role in my work,” Pepijn says of the sculpture. “The fact that humans, especially the Dutch in the 17th century, contributed to the extinction of this cute bird makes me feel guilty. This is my way of giving something back to the dodo, giving it eternal life. In my exhibition 'The Time Traveler,' it turns out that the legendary bird did not go extinct in the 17th century, but has been traveling ever since,” says Pepijn. “The displaced dodo searches for conspecifics and a safe place to exist. He lives on because we keep depicting him in books, art and movies.” Van Nieuwendijk sees himself reflected in the tragic bird. “I used to not travel much or far, until I had to go to China for an assignment and a world opened up for me. The dodo never got off his island either, because he couldn't fly. Until he was suddenly taken by sailors and thus began his journey.”

Meanwhile, the extinct bird is becoming wildly popular again. This time not among hungry and greedy sailors, but by a bevy of fans delighted by the cheerful appearance of this special bird. The two Delft blue dodos from Heinen Delfts Blauw have found each other and made a new home together after years of wandering. To add to their domestic happiness, they have been joined by a small mini dodo. No longer extinct and alone, but together with each other. Will you also give this brand new dodo family a nice home?