Our excursion included a stop in Delft, home of the famous hand painted blue and white porcelain, a process brought from China. We visited Delftse Pauw, which means the 'Delft's peacock.' After learning about the molding, bruning and painting processes, we were left in the factory shop, and I bought a small one.
One curiosity: the paint is black and turns blue with the chemical reactions that take place in the final burning process.
Delft is also the birthplace of Jan Vermeer, one of the most renowned painters of the 17th century.