18th century glass

The fattening

Important diamondline and diamondstipple engraved glass by Gillis Hendricus Hoolaart, to toast to De Vetwijerij (the fattening of cows).

On the bowl a diamond stipple engraving in reverse technique, of a cow with its horns seen from the back. A part is completely scratched in diamond line technique from which appears a tree. Part of the tree and foliage are stippled in different ways which sows different textures. The way of engraving of the cow and the tree gives a very dramatic effect. The inscription De vetwijerij (the fattening).

The engraving is with certainty attributed to Gillis Hendricus Hoolaart. The same cow can be found on two glasses, signed by Hoolaart, one of them is in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. Hoolaart (Dordrecht 1731 - 1816) was a cerical employee to a notary. He lived in the same street where Frans greenwood lived from 1745. Probably Greenwood taught and inspired Hoolaart to engrave. Only seven signed glasses are kown.

During spring cattle was shipped in Denmark to the Netherlands.  Then the cattle was fattened, slaughtered in the winter. This meat was amongst others on the ships of the VOC.  This became a blooming line of business.

Ex collection L. Blumka, New York.