Insects & Arachnids · 20th century
€ 490
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
This original antique print is in very good condition with only mild age toning around the edges, typical for prints of this period. The colors remain vivid and the paper shows no tears or foxing.
This vibrant hand-colored lithograph depicts a touching domestic scene from the village of Staphorst in the province of Overijssel, Netherlands. It illustrates a mother and her children dressed in traditional winter attire, typical of the conservative Reformed communities of Staphorst and Rouveen in the late 19th to early 20th century. The background features stylized Delft tiles, common in farm kitchens of the time, offering not only insulation but also visual delight with their biblical and animal motifs.
The figures are richly adorned in layered and symbolically significant garments. The mother wears a zwarte musse, a black sateen cap with a stiffened peak or toet, tied beneath the chin and fastened with a silver oorijzer, a traditional Dutch headpiece. Her dark cashmere over-bodice, the busje, is paired with a bright blue apron trimmed in red and white cotton, bringing contrast to the otherwise somber tones.
The standing child, likely a girl between two and six years old, is dressed in a winter costume featuring a bonnet known as a nette, embellished with silk fringe and chenille, and tied with a blue ribbon. Her clothing layers include a petticoat of blue wool and a red checkered apron tied in back. She also wears yellow wooden sabots, commonly used for outdoor wear during colder months.
The infant in the cradle is beautifully portrayed, swaddled in a long robe of printed cotton, his cap showing a rucked edge and floral decoration. According to the text, the layered ensemble of such a young child would include white linen, dark-striped winter vijfschaft, and ribbons in front of a fichu. His cheeks are rosy and expression serene, adding to the warmth and charm of the composition.
The print belongs to a rare series that documented regional costumes of the Netherlands with precision and respect. These prints not only celebrate the richness of Dutch folkloric dress but also serve as invaluable ethnographic records of local customs and identities.
Condition: This original antique print is in very good condition with only mild age toning around the edges, typical for prints of this period. The colors remain vivid and the paper shows no tears or foxing.
Framing tip: To highlight the richness of the costumes and the delicacy of the tile background, consider framing this print in a natural wood or black frame with a wide off-white mat. A museum-quality glass will help preserve its vibrant colors while giving it an elegant presence in a traditional or eclectic interior.
