Do you know the Rijkswachters? In 2023 it will be 10 years since the Rijksmuseum reopened after the renovation and the Rijkswachters were created. During this major renovation, which lasted 10 years, the museum's precious art was stored or traveled to various museums around the world. All these beautiful art treasures were protected by wooden crates. But when the Rijksmuseum reopened, these crates were no longer needed.
studio hammerhead shark
And so the Rijkswachters were created by Nikki and Boudewijn from Studio Hamerhaai. They make Dutch Design from “waste”. “Waste” deliberately in quotation marks, because it is simply high-quality material. With a life and its own story. It is waste because it is material that would otherwise be thrown away. So also the crates of the Rijksmuseum. Studio Hamerhaai made fun wooden robots from these. All unique due to their print and design and each with a different story.
what was your gendarme protecting?
The fun part is that you can find out which art treasure your Rijkswachter has protected. Each robot has a number, which you can enter on the Studio Hamerhaai website and you will discover which art treasure this Rijkswachter was safely storing when the Rijksmuseum was being renovated. When I received the first Rijkswachters for maison KOOS, I immediately lost 2 to my children. They enthusiastically went to find out what was protected by their robot. No Rembrandt for us, but we have a Rijkswachter that contained a Bandelier with powder measures and a bullet pouch from 1600. A bandelier is a wide carrying strap or sling worn across the shoulder that was originally used to hang a sabre or epee in or to insert cartridges. We looked it up, but this way they (and I) learn something new at the same time.
The other Rijkswachter robot protected a bowl on a pedestal with a portrait of a man and a woman. The bowl comes from Italy and was made around 1530 - 1540. The nice thing is that this information also states where in the Rijksmuseum this piece can be found, so that you can also go and see it in real life. 
The Rijkswachters are very nice as an original maternity gift or for the nursery, a nice gift for an art lover but of course also look nice in your own interior. They are available in 3 sizes and therefore always in a different version. You can find our collection here: Rijkswachters | from €29.95
Now to find the time to go and admire the art of “our” Rijkswachter in the Rijksmuseum. Let's plan it this summer.
photos: studio hammerhead shark, rijksmuseum & zinst
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About the author - Kirsten OosterwaalKirsten is the face behind maison KOOS . Together with her husband and 2 children she lives in Brabantse Waalwijk. She likes to share tips and ideas about interior and sustainability. She loves coffee, yoga, reading, snowboarding, Nintendo and nice (out)food or drinks with friends & family ♡ |
