Banking on Prosperity: Södra Bancohuset of Stockholm in a 1691 Swidde Engraving
€ 540
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1691
Sheet size
32.7 × 40.5 cm (12.9 × 15.9 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13670-15
Condition
Good. Hand-pressed paper, with soiling due to handling only in the outer margins, not in the handcolored image. Folding line as issued, but professionally flattened. Wide margins. Study the images carefully.
About this sheet
This original antique image is a historical depiction from "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna," which translates to "Ancient and Modern Sweden." This was a significant work of the mid-17th century, initiated by Count Erik Dahlbergh. The image specifically shows Södra Bancohuset in Gamla stan, the old town of Stockholm, which was the southern bank house, a central financial institution of the time.
The engraving, done by Willem Swidde in 1691, captures the grandeur of the banking house with remarkable architectural detail. The prominence of the building in the engraving underscores its importance in Stockholm's financial and urban landscape during the period.
To the right in the engraving, the pub sign of Blå Örnen, or "The Blue Eagle," is visible, which is a historical detail noted by the Stockholm City Museum. Such signs were commonly used to identify establishments before the widespread use of street numbers.
Given the historical significance and the artistry of the engraving, it serves not only as a visual representation of a specific location in Stockholm but also as a document of urban and economic history. "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna" was a project that aimed to boost national pride by illustrating Sweden's grandeur and is considered one of the most important works in the history of Swedish topography.
