Around 1600 a number of Dutch cities became large enough to make specialization economically viable and guilds devoted exclusively to the production of painted furniture were founded in the largest... Show moreAround 1600 a number of Dutch cities became large enough to make specialization economically viable and guilds devoted exclusively to the production of painted furniture were founded in the largest cities, Amsterdam first of all. In these guilds, the craftsmen were called witwerkers, referring to their use of softwood, also known as white wood at the time. From 1650 onwards witwerkers guilds were founded in an ever-growing number of cities, first in the Noord- and Zuid-Holland provinces, and finally, in the 18th century, throughout the whole western part of The Netherlands.Based on extensive archival research, including notary inventories and guild regulations and through a close analysis of hundreds of surviving pieces, Hans Piena has made a detailed study of the development of the production and use of painted softwood furniture in the Netherlands. The late 19th and early 20th century perception of painted furniture as having ancient folk origins is shown to be a myth, and numerous fakes are identified and the time and place of their production made clear. Show less
From guilds to regional education and training centres, the history of vocational education and training in the city of Leiden.This thesis addresses the history of vocational education and training... Show moreFrom guilds to regional education and training centres, the history of vocational education and training in the city of Leiden.This thesis addresses the history of vocational education and training (VET) in Leiden. It focuses on the question of responsibility for VET through six ages: public body or social initiatives? This is associated with the question whether educational objectives differ according to the body responsible. Is a more comprehensive education the concern of governments alone, and are social initiatives limited to narrow-based practical training?The point of departure is a study by Wolf-Dietrich Greinert. He distinguishes three VET models in response to industrialisation: the market model, the liberal response (predominant in England), the rational state-bureaucratic model (FRance), and the dual corporative model (Germany).The study shows that Leiden has not been dominated by a single model throughout the ages. Primarly responsibility for establishment and maintenance of VET has been borne consecutively by several bodies. The connection that Greinert finds between the body responsible and the goals pursued, is not manifest in the history of VET in Leiden. Goals set by public parties extended beyond professional skills only. And private initiatives also intended to provide a broader social education as well. Show less
Tussen hamer en aambeeld is a social economic study into several aspects of the goldsmiths profession in Friesland during the seventeenth century. The study, based on comprehensive research in... Show moreTussen hamer en aambeeld is a social economic study into several aspects of the goldsmiths profession in Friesland during the seventeenth century. The study, based on comprehensive research in archives, describes the influence of monetary laws, guilds and trade patterns on the lives and the works of the goldsmiths in Bolsward and Leeuwarden. During the Golden Age the craft was confronted with problems caused by the rigid monetary policy of the Frisian States. The Frisian goldsmiths became evermore depended on the import of silver from Amsterdam. The price of this silver rose while the selling price in Friesland remained fixed. In order to keep the profession exclusive the goldsmiths took protective measures and searched for creative solutions. Around 1672 many of the craftsmen were confronted with financial mishap. Some goldsmiths with a solid reputation, based on objects that survived the ages, set up a trade network with jewelers from Amsterdam. What are the consequences of this trade for the reputation of Frisian silver? The book contains biographies of the goldsmiths from Bolsward and new information about their marks. Show less
