Dark Ripples: 17th century Dutch Ebony Frames

Interesting online talk from the National Gallery looking at the fashion for ebony frames in 17th century Holland.

Clara Davarpanagh took us though the different styles of frame and how the ripple effect was added using one of the first pieces of mechanisation. She talked about how Holland favoured plainer frames but how Flemish and German artists favoured a more all over design as well as looking at other styles of frame that were is use.

She gave us a brief over view of the East India Company to show how the Netherlands gained a monopoly on ebony when some of their ships washed up on the shores of Mauritius and how this also added to their popularity.

 

 

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