An elegant Delft blue egg cup from the Paauw Blauw collection by Heinen Delfts Blauw. This porcelain egg cup is decorated all around with a beautiful peacock feather pattern. Just as Delft blue has a history in Asia, the same can be said about the peacock. The peacock is the oldest known ornamental bird that first arrived in Europe from Sri Lanka over four thousand years ago. Peacock feathers have acquired special meanings over the centuries. In the Empire of China, for example, a peacock feather was worn on the hat as a sign of status and the feather is said to bring good luck and love. For Heinen Delfts Blauw the peacock also has another special meaning. This elegant tableware collection is a tribute to our former Delft blue factory, which was named ‘De Paauw’. An earthenware factory that dates back to 1651 and back then produced under the name ‘De Delftse Pauw’ (the Delft Peacock). This factory was one of the few factories that continued to produce entirely hand-painted Delft blue pottery.