Old Houses in HollandJones, Sydney R. (Sydney Robert)
History
Old Houses in Holland
Jones, Sydney R. (Sydney Robert)
Architecture, Domestic -- Netherlands
Another example of a brass candelabrum, similar to the one
above-mentioned, is shown by the drawing from Haarlem (page 127). It
is of a type that was customary. Many such still exist in old-world
rooms, suspended from high ceilings by chains or rods. Apart from
their uses for purposes of illumination, they are highly successful as
centre ornaments, for it will be seen how effectively they were made,
with curved decorated brackets branching from shaped shafts. Patterns
are various, but there are certain essentials common to all and a
general resemblance between each. Thus, a particularly beautiful
candelabrum in the Town Hall at Zwolle, with an image of the Virgin
and pierced, leaf-like brackets, is but an elaboration of the simple
familiar form. Some carry three lights only, ordinarily there are
ten or twelve; while an example noticed at Haarlem, with twenty-seven
candles, probably represents the extreme capacity of this old-fashioned
system of lighting.
Of interior features, first in importance come the fireplaces. Great
thought was given to the decoration of them, the appearance of many
being rich beyond description. Numerous kinds of materials were used
for their adornment; brick and stone, wood, marble and slate, coloured
tiles and terra-cotta, all giving value to the imposing compositions.
And although the materials were so various, they were skilfully
combined to produce harmonious results. Fireplaces were brought forward
from the walls and not set back within them. The openings were of ample
size, wide and high. The jambs, enriched with mouldings or appearing as
columns, supported massive hoods that extended upwards to the ceiling.
The fireplace at Maastricht (page 131) is a good specimen of the late
Gothic type. It belongs to the year 1510, this date being carved
on the centre scroll. Upon the sandstone jambs are worked Gothic
mouldings which spring from shaped stops resting on square bases. The
broad frieze is rich with carvings of angels, conventional flowers,
cusps, and two shields, bearing the arms of Maastricht and Liège. The
rear of the opening is lined with pressed terra-cotta tiles that
exhibit a variety of designs in low relief. Against it is set an
iron fireback ornamented with a heraldic device. The wooden figures
on the mantel-shelf are merely placed thereon and are not inherent
to the design.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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