HINDELOOPEN, THE CRADLE 18TH CENTURY, THE STAND LATER

Hindeloopen, situated on the IJsselmeer in the province of Friesland, is known for its folk art, traditional costume and own language. The polychrome painted furniture was traditionally produced by the sailors who worked at home during the winter months. They bought the wood in Scandinavia where they had seen painted household utensils and furniture. In Amsterdam they had seen the colourful chitsen or sitsen imported by the V.O.C. These influences and the colours red, black and green dominated strongly in the production of the Hindelooper objects. Besides biblical scenes they used trees of life, griffins, birds and flowers as motifs.

A comparable Hindeloopen cradle was sold Christie's Amsterdam, The Dutch Interior. 1600-1830, 29 September 1999, Lot 699.