This dissertation reconstructs, wherever possible, the interior
of the Cape house between 1670 and 1714 from the evidence preserved
in surviving inventories and vendu rolls located in the Cape Archives.
Chapter I examines those inventories which contribute something
to our knowledge of the architecture of the period.
Chapter II reconstructs certain features of doors, windows, fireplaces
etc., from clues in the inventories and vendu rolls.
Chapter III considers the way the different rooms in a cape house
were furnished, and relates this to the developments in interior
organisation and design that were taking place in seventeenth-century
Europe in general and the Hague in particular.
Chapter IV examines beds, window curtains, seat furniture, footstools,
footwarmers and screens.
Chapter V examines tables, carpets, chests, coffers, cupboards,
cabinets, writing boxes, cellarets, mirrors, pictures, and wall racks.
Chapter VI deals with lighting equipment, aids to cleanliness,
basketware, skins, leatherware and cooperage.
Chapter VII examines the various items devoted to eating and
drinking.
Chapter VIII covers the domestic pursuits: smoking, reading, writing,
sewing, knitting, spinning, music, indoor games, clocks, watches,
scientific instruments, weapons and domestic pets.
The Conclusion attempts to place the domestic world at the Cape
in the context of contemporary Dutch culture. Comparisons are drawn
between the Cape and other Dutch societies, and particularly between
the Cape inventories and those of the Hague and New York, in order to
pinpoint those qualities and features which are unique to the Cape house
and the people who lived in it.
Die doel van hierdie verhandeling is om die Kaapse binnehuis
tussen die jare 1670 - 1714 te rekonstrueer sover dit moontlik is,
deur gebruik te maak van die oorblywende inventarisse en vendurolle
wat in die Kaapse Argief bewaar is.
Hoofstuk I ondersoek die inventarisse wat enige bydrae maak tot
huidige kennis van die argitektuur van bogenoemde periode.
Hoofstuk II bestee aandag aan sekere eienskappe van deure,
vensters, vuurmaakplekke ens.
Hoofstuk III oorweeg die manier waarop verskeie kamers in ‘n
tipiese Kaapse huis gemeubileerd was en vergelyk die metode van
rangskikking met die wat teenswordig in sewentiende eeuse Europa
gebruiklik was, veral in den Haag.
Hoofstuk IV beskrywe beddens, venster-gordyne, steele, voetstoele,
voetstofies en skerme.
Hoofstuk V behandel tafels, tapyte, kiste, koffers, kaste,
kabinette, lessenaars, keldertjies, spieels, skilderye en muurrakke.
Hoofstuk VI handel oor beligting, skoonheidshulpmiddels,
reinigingsmiddels, mandjieware, leergoed, en kuiperswerk.
Hoofstuk VII ondersoek die verskeie gereedskap wat gebruik word
vir eet en drank.
Hoofstuk VIII bestee aandag aan huislike werksaamhede soos rook,
lees, skryf, naaldwerk, brei, spin, musiek, speletjies, klokke,
horlosies, wetenskaplike instrumente, wapens, en troeteldiere.
Die konklusie maak ‘n poging om die huislike wêreld aan die Kaap
met gelyktydige Nederlandse kultuur in verband te plaas. Vergelykinge
is tussen die Kaapse en andere Nederlandse gemeenskappe met die fokus
op die Kaapse inventarisse en die van den Haag en New York gemaak, en
daardie kwaliteite en kenmerke wat uniek aan die Kaapse huis en die
mense wat daarin gebly het, is bepreek.
