The interior of the Cape House, 1670-1714

Abstract

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.