Dutch Family’s Replicas Of Antique Furniture

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29739, 5 February 1962, Page 2

Dutch Family’s Replicas Of Antique Furniture

The home furnishing of a twelfth century Dutch farm house might seem a far cry from current twentieth century taste in New Zealand. But to a Dutch-born Christchurch family, who have lived in New Zealand since 1952, the connexion is part of their daily life.

In their contemporary home in Papanui. Mr and Mrs J. R. van Tulder and their five children are surrounded by hand-carved replicas of original 12th century furniture from the Dutch province of Brabant. A farming province in the south-west of Holland, Brabant had developed its own particular style of furnishings and home decorations, Mrs van Tulder said. The nearby province of Zeeland, where she and her husband lived after their marriage, had not developed its own distinctive style of furniture. Based on the smooth flowing. simple lines of village church furnishings, the Brabant style had been adapted to the pattern of home life in the province. As fashions changed, the traditional furniture had died out, more often being regarded as an antique than as something for use. Then, early in the 1940’5, a members of the Dutch royal family, Prince Bernhard, visited a small furniture ex-

hibition in the province. There he saw a fine handcarved ash-wood chair, a perfect replica of an original antique, made by a church wood carver in the province.

“He tried it and found it so comfortable that he thought this • idea had possibilities.” said Mrs van Tulder. After that the small firm’s work had expanded and became more widely known in the province.

Shortly after being married in the early 1940’s Mr and Mrs van Tulder decided to base their own home furnishings on the original 800-year-old styles. By 1942, in spite of the German occupation, they had acquired from the firm most of their present furniture—all to order. “This was surprising really, considering that this all had to be done more or less in secret,” she said.

“Fortunately, the valuable timbers, mainly ash and mahogany, had been concealed in nearby streams to prevent warping.” Now. 20 years later, Mr

and Mrs van Tulder have in their New Zealand home a complete and well-preserved collection of genuine-look-ing Dutch “antiques”—including the same exhibition chair originally admired by Prince Bernhard. Warm-coloured and tailbacked chairs, based on the old church choir-seat pattern, are built for comfort as well as appearance. Lounge-style chairs, children’s miniature chairs and dining chairs abound. A replica of a babies’ high chair, used over the years by each of Mr and Mrs Tulder’s five children, is almost identical with modem highchair design. A central feature of the large, almost circular lounge is the huge book-case cabinet, housing both books and family china. Uncluttered Room

In spite of being almost ornately decorated, the large dining table, the smaller magazine rack, a wooden fire basket and miniature wall cabinet all give an impression of uncluttered simplicity. Wrought-iron, used in extra cupboard fittings, for wall chandeliers and for some table legs, adds a contemporary touch to the finishings. In a bedroom replicas of a bed and wardrobe are of mahogany. On several of the pieces are painted the original crests of Mr and Mrs van Tulder's family and provinces.