Dutch Renaissance cupboard with auricular ornaments

This cupboard dated 1650 was the highlight of the collection of John E. Visser (b. 1916; d. 2007) at the “Huys Anno 1642” in Hoorn. The sculptural elements of this cupboard are of exceptional quality. The pediment in particular is decorated lavishly, with different figures, sea creatures, and water-related elements. Poseidon, god of the sea, is depicted riding a wagon led by seahorses. He carries ears of corn and a scythe, symbolizing prosperity and fertility. His wife Amphitrite is pictured on a seahorse, surrounded by a dolphin and figures playing different musical instruments. Their son Triton is depicted blowing a horn. The pediment is divided into two parts by curled consoles. The lower drawer of the cupboard is decorated with plant motifs and cherub heads.

The upper cupboard is decorated with three sculptures, symbolizing Faith, Hope, and Love. The doors of the upper cupboard present us with two horizontal panels depicting Justice and Prudence. The images are centered within a cartouche. The middle of the cartouche is crowned with a lion mask, flanked by putti and the city coat of arms of Amsterdam and Hoorn.

The decoration on the lower cupboard is more unusual. The two doors have vertical panels decorated with figures that represent Fortitude and Temperance. The figures are again framed by a cartouche, decorated with angels and auricular ornaments. The bottom of the panel is decorated with a ribbon engraved with the text “Anno 1650”.

It is likely that this cupboard was made for a governing authority connected to water, because of the Dutch origin, the dating, and the thematic decoration of the cupboard which, as mentioned above, consists of two city coats of arms and multiple ornaments connected to water. The different virtues that are symbolized by the sculptures that can be seen on the cupboard, refer to admirable governing qualities.

The decoration of this cupboard also shows some similarities with a cupboard found in the Rijksmuseum. This cupboard belonged to J.A.Z. Graaf van Rechteren Limpurg, whose family was connected to several high positions in the administration of polders during the 17th century. The cupboard is decorated with ships, seahorses, tritons, and nymphs. In addition to the water-related decorations, the cupboards also share the sculpted lions’ heads and festoons.

While there is no archival evidence yet that connects our cupboard to a polder management authority, there are several signs that allude to this provenance. This cupboard does remain the only known example of its kind that contains depictions of two city coats of arms paired with a spectacularly sculpted aquatic scene.

Provenance:

ex. Collection John de Visser, Hoorn

Literature:

Loek van Aalst en Annigje Hofstede. Noord-Nederlandse meubelen van renaissance tot vroege barok 1550-1670 pp. 63,136 -137, 493-496.

Reinier Baarsen. Wonen in de Gouden Eeuw, 17e eeuwse Nederlandse meubelen, Amsterdam, 2007 pp. 38-41.

Country-life, 29 sept. 1977. Afbeelding ‘in situ’.