DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68274#0277
Seventeenth Century (Dutch)
One of the principal ornaments in rich houses was the
painted glass. In some rooms every window was
adorned with painted glass, but in less wealthy homes
one window had to suffice. This was generally a round
one painted in gaudy hues and neatly framed. Such
glass was a favourite present. Sometimes the engraver
had inscribed upon it Dutch or Latin proverbs ; but
more frequently it was embellished with the coat-of-
arms of the master of the house, portraits, landscapes,
Biblical and popular stories, such as Reynard the Fox,
The Adventures of the four Heems Children, or The Drol-
leries of Tyll Eulenspiegel. The ceilings rested on heavy
oak beams with many cross beams ; and even in rich
houses ceilings and beams were artistically painted. In
the centre of the ceiling was hung a brass, or gilded
wooden chandelier for wax or tallow candles; and
additional light was derived from sconces fastened to the
walls and on either side of the chimney-piece. Occasion-
ally the candelabra were of crystal. In some rooms
models of ships correctly rigged hung from the beams ;
and sometimes stuffed animals, heads, fish, weapons, and
wedding ornaments and favours kept them company.
The chimney-piece always received a good deal of
attention. It was very wide and high. Wood and peat
were both burned on the large silver, brass, iron or steel
andirons. The space in the overmantel was often
painted by the best master available, or was occupied by
a painting in a carved frame. On either side of the pic-
ture were sconces containing wax candles that illumi-
nated the painting at night. The broad chimney shelf
was occupied with Japanese and Chinese porcelains and
181
One of the principal ornaments in rich houses was the
painted glass. In some rooms every window was
adorned with painted glass, but in less wealthy homes
one window had to suffice. This was generally a round
one painted in gaudy hues and neatly framed. Such
glass was a favourite present. Sometimes the engraver
had inscribed upon it Dutch or Latin proverbs ; but
more frequently it was embellished with the coat-of-
arms of the master of the house, portraits, landscapes,
Biblical and popular stories, such as Reynard the Fox,
The Adventures of the four Heems Children, or The Drol-
leries of Tyll Eulenspiegel. The ceilings rested on heavy
oak beams with many cross beams ; and even in rich
houses ceilings and beams were artistically painted. In
the centre of the ceiling was hung a brass, or gilded
wooden chandelier for wax or tallow candles; and
additional light was derived from sconces fastened to the
walls and on either side of the chimney-piece. Occasion-
ally the candelabra were of crystal. In some rooms
models of ships correctly rigged hung from the beams ;
and sometimes stuffed animals, heads, fish, weapons, and
wedding ornaments and favours kept them company.
The chimney-piece always received a good deal of
attention. It was very wide and high. Wood and peat
were both burned on the large silver, brass, iron or steel
andirons. The space in the overmantel was often
painted by the best master available, or was occupied by
a painting in a carved frame. On either side of the pic-
ture were sconces containing wax candles that illumi-
nated the painting at night. The broad chimney shelf
was occupied with Japanese and Chinese porcelains and
181