Handmade and Vormbak Bricks from the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, two traditional brick types stand out: Handform and Vormbak — each representing a different era of craftsmanship and industrial evolution.

Handform Bricks – The Art of Handcrafting

Handform is the oldest brickmaking method in the Netherlands, similar to the German Feldbrandstein (hand-fired brick). Clay was traditionally sourced from riverbanks — especially along the Waal, Rhine, and IJssel — as well as from open-air deposits. This raw material was mixed with sand and natural additives to prepare it for processing.

A skilled artisan, known as a Tichelaar (brickmaker), pressed the clay by hand into wooden molds. The surface was then levelled with a steel plate. To ensure easy release, the mold was lightly dusted with sand before being flipped to eject the unfired brick.

The green bricks were laid out in long rows to dry slowly under the open sky, regularly turned to prevent cracking. After drying, they were loaded into kilns and subjected to a meticulous firing process:

Two weeks at low heat to remove residual moisture,

Followed by four weeks at 1,125 °C for full vitrification,

And finally two weeks of gradual cooling to ensure stability.

Due to the entirely manual process, Handform bricks naturally vary in size and shape. Their surface is characterised by folds, veins, and subtle irregularities — each mark a signature of authentic, handcrafted origin.

Vormbak Bricks – The Rise of Precision

In contrast to Handform, Vormbak bricks represent the transition to early industrial production. The prepared clay was mechanically pressed into molds, with excess material automatically trimmed from the top. All sides of the mold were sand-coated to prevent sticking.

The result: bricks with sharp, clean edges and a smooth, uniform surface — free of blemishes or texture. Vormbak bricks reflect the growing demand for consistency and efficiency during the industrial age.

Our Dutch Bricks: The ReBrick Collection

Our reclaimed Dutch bricks are proudly offered under the name ReBrick in the Netherlands — a brand built on quality, heritage, and sustainable reuse.

Thanks to regional variations in raw materials, these bricks offer a rich and diverse colour palette, from warm terracotta and golden ochre to deep brown and soft grey tones.

Nominal dimensions: 210 x 100 x 50 mm

(Slightly smaller than standard German clinkers)

Approx. 68 bricks per square meter

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Selected from Our Collections