DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68274#0379
The Dutch Home
quicksilver and pewter was invented in the celebrated
factory of Murano. The Venetians monopolized the
trade until the end of the century, when Abraham
Thevart made mirrors (84 x 50 inches) in Paris. Both
Venetian and French mirrors adorned the reception
rooms of the rich stadhouders and mayors of Holland,
and hung above the toilet-tables of ladies (see Plate
XL). The archives of the Castle of Develstein men-
tion : a " very large mirror from France," " Venetian
mirrors," " a small coarse mirror in a black frame,"
"a fine Venetian mirror in the Salon, with flowered
crystal border"; " an Amsterdam mirror of medium
size," and " one French mirror, large and beautiful."
Mirrors were not only valued for their thick glass
and fine silvering, but on account of their choice frames.
Inventories speak of scroll frames, openwork frames,
frames with lions or griffins supporting a coat-of-arms,
etc. Ladies also carried German and English mirrors
suspended from their waists, for the purpose of arranging
their coiffure, ruff, or patches.
The mirror, like other expensive luxuries, was often
prohibited by the clergy of the Protestant Church; and
many a rich , burgher was reprimanded for spending so
much money on mirrors, porcelain and furniture, and
giving so little to the Church.
The most beautiful mirrors were probably found in
The Hague, where the reception rooms and bedrooms
were usually decorated in the " style Louis XIV." Some
of these were of Venetian glass with beautiful crystal
borders and crystal lustres at the side. Frequently
these were placed above the richly carved mantelpiece.
265
quicksilver and pewter was invented in the celebrated
factory of Murano. The Venetians monopolized the
trade until the end of the century, when Abraham
Thevart made mirrors (84 x 50 inches) in Paris. Both
Venetian and French mirrors adorned the reception
rooms of the rich stadhouders and mayors of Holland,
and hung above the toilet-tables of ladies (see Plate
XL). The archives of the Castle of Develstein men-
tion : a " very large mirror from France," " Venetian
mirrors," " a small coarse mirror in a black frame,"
"a fine Venetian mirror in the Salon, with flowered
crystal border"; " an Amsterdam mirror of medium
size," and " one French mirror, large and beautiful."
Mirrors were not only valued for their thick glass
and fine silvering, but on account of their choice frames.
Inventories speak of scroll frames, openwork frames,
frames with lions or griffins supporting a coat-of-arms,
etc. Ladies also carried German and English mirrors
suspended from their waists, for the purpose of arranging
their coiffure, ruff, or patches.
The mirror, like other expensive luxuries, was often
prohibited by the clergy of the Protestant Church; and
many a rich , burgher was reprimanded for spending so
much money on mirrors, porcelain and furniture, and
giving so little to the Church.
The most beautiful mirrors were probably found in
The Hague, where the reception rooms and bedrooms
were usually decorated in the " style Louis XIV." Some
of these were of Venetian glass with beautiful crystal
borders and crystal lustres at the side. Frequently
these were placed above the richly carved mantelpiece.
265