Princessehof Ceramics Museum

The Princessehof Ceramics Museum is a national museum in Leeuwarden, Friesland, dedicated to the history and art of ceramics. The museum is housed in the historic Princessehof building in the city centre and traces ceramic production and collecting across Asia and Europe.

Exhibits cover archaeological ceramics, imperial Chinese porcelain, Dutch Delftware and modern studio ceramics, presented across permanent displays and rotating temporary exhibitions. The institution runs educational programmes and hands-on activities focused on ceramic techniques and history.

The building that houses the museum dates to earlier centuries and was converted to museum use in the early 20th century; the museum established its ceramic collection and public displays in the 1910s. Over the decades the collection has expanded through acquisitions and donations to include both historical and contemporary works.

Princessehof sits in central Leeuwarden, within walking distance of the city’s canals and main squares, and is a focal cultural institution for Friesland.

• Specialisation: Founded in the early 20th century and housed in the historic Princessehof building in Leeuwarden's centre, the museum specialises in international ceramics with a strong collection of Asian and Dutch pieces.

What to See #

• Permanent collection galleries: The main permanent galleries present a chronological and thematic survey of ceramics from East Asia, Europe and the Netherlands, with objects ranging from historic Chinese porcelain to Delftware and contemporary studio ceramics.
• Exhibition and education spaces: Temporary exhibition spaces and educational rooms that host rotating shows, workshops and ceramic demonstrations for visitors of all ages.