Among the other vanities carefully preserved in the drawers and on the shelves were the fans, masks, lace and jewels; _châtelaines_, ribbons, hats, bonnets and caps; silk, cloth and serge stockings richly embroidered; fancy shoes and slippers with high heels, and leather and silk gloves sweetly perfumed. Vrouwe van Blyenborgh had a number of thin, beautiful, scented, leather gloves; a large stock of “shoework” of silk, satin, gold and silver leather, and yellow, green and scarlet stockings. We must not forget to mention the round silver mirrors suspended from gold hooks at the belt, and the delicately painted miniatures worn as lockets or breast-pins.
The great _kas_ was as conspicuous in the houses of the Dutch colonists as it was at home. Every inventory of the prosperous burgher of New Amsterdam mentions it, and it is highly appraised. To take a few instances: “One great case covered with French nutwood and two black knots (balls) under it, £13” (1685); “a cupboard or case of French nutwood, £20” (1686); a white oak cupboard, £2 5_s._ (1688); a large cupboard, £6 (1690); cupboard for clothes, a press and porcelain, £5; and a “Holland cubbart furnished with earthenware and porcelain,” £15 (1692); a great black walnut cupboard, £10 (1702); a Dutch painted cupboard, £1 (1702); a black walnut cupboard, £9 (1703); and a case of nutwood, £10 (1712). The _kas_ was often a valued bequest: Mrs. van Varick had one “great Dutch _kas_ that could not be removed from Flatbush”; and, therefore, was sold for £25.
PLATE XLII.—_Interior, by Jan Steen. The Hague._ ]
In the rooms of the Castle of Develstein were standing mirrors and mirrors in ebony, metal and crystal frames, on the walls; and in the “_salon_” was a mirror of Venetian glass. In this room was seen the “kingwood hall buffet,” where, on festive or ceremonial occasions, the family silver and crystal were exhibited, such as silver plates, dishes, spoons, knives, beakers, decanters and mugs, silver-mounted horns and night cups—all engraved with the family arms, or with conventional rhymes or mottoes. In the “salon” or “show salon” was placed the “root-wood (root of the walnut tree) table,” formed like steps (a survival of the _dressoir_), on which the rarest and finest porcelains were shown. Here also was the richly carved walnut _kas_ containing a rare display of fine china, while on the wall walnut racks, beautifully carved and ornamented with gold, the handsomest plaques were arranged. There was also a pewter table in this room, on which stood many pewter dishes, cups, tankards, etc., engraved with the family arms; but most of the pewter was kept in the pewter cupboards (_tinkasten_), in the pewter room, or in rows upon the dresser in the kitchen, ready for immediate use. Silver table-ware was not in general use, for pewter took its place as an everyday article. Among the glassware shown in this room were cordial, wine and beer glasses, chalices and loving-cups of white and green glass, engraved with arms, ornaments, proverbs, and shell-like Venetian glasses, supposed to be proof against poison.