10 things about Home in the 17th Century

Home was less private than it is today. Front doors often remained open, and it was perfectly normal for children, neighbours or acquaintances to just walk in. Everyone in the area could listen in. And if they didn’t, there was always God, who saw everything.

People did not often wash themselves with water. Instead, they put on clean linen to look fresh and neat. This was usually bright white: the sign of cleanliness.

This men’s ruff is made from more than 17 meters of fabric, carefully pleated. Both wealthy men and women wore such ruffs. This is even the only surviving example of a pleated ruff in the Netherlands!

People didn’t have refrigerators, but they did have a 'spinde': a cupboard with ventilation grilles that allowed air to circulate. This kept food fresh longer. They were usually made of cheap wood, but a coat of paint could make them look much fancier – like real oak.

Washing hands before meals was an important rule of etiquette. In wealthier circles, the water was perfumed with rosewater, making it smell especially nice. The wealthy Agneta Deutz did this in style, with this silver ewer and basin set.

According to the rulebook, the man was the head of the household. In practice, however, it was often the woman who held the reins: she distributed and organized the tasks. Girls were prepared for this role from an early age.

The young Eva Wtewael is portrayed here by her father as the perfect lady of the house, engaged in needlework with a Bible or psalm book within reach.

Parents must have found it tempting: strapping their not-yet-potty-trained children into a so-called “potty chair.” The seat had a hole with a little pot underneath, so the child could easily relieve itself. Handy, right?

Yet the chair was strongly discouraged at the time. According to physician Steven Blankaart, spending too much time in the potty chair would lead to children with ‘’saggy bellies’’.

Linen cupboards had a prominent place in the home. The doors of this example depict biblical scenes of Susanna and the Elders. Because of her faith and chastity, she was seen as a role model for women. Every time you opened the cupboard, you were reminded of Susanna’s story. Even while folding laundry, you reflected on living a virtuous life.

In many households, the couple ran a home-based business together. This portrait by Jan Steen hung in the kitchen of a baker’s family in Leiden. While Arent baked the bread, Catharina ran the shop. Proudly, she presents the fresh loaves: pretzels, rolls and against the wall a duivekater (a festive loaf).

Pour your wine into this bowl, and a little flap opens to reveal a tiny figure — a symbol of pregnancy. The bowl, known as a “hansje in de kelder” (“little Hans in the cellar”), was used during a toast to the unborn child.

Because of the high mortality rate for both mother and child, this was far from a carefree drink. The risks of alcohol were less well known at the time, so the expectant mother joined in the drinking as well.

Today, the Game of the Goose is an innocent children’s pastime, but in the 17th century people gambled on it. The board represents the course of life: from childhood to old age, past the bridge, the inn, and death. Whoever landed on square 61 had to propose a toast.