A Festive Tableware Set
This tableware was created for De Haar Castle. After all, not only the castle itself, but also its entire interior was designed according to Cuypers’ plans!
This hors d’oeuvres set is a striking piece of tableware and has been part of the Cuypershuis collection since 1932. It consists of earthenware bowls and containers with lids, shaped like castle towers surrounded by a moat in which fish swim. The towers are decorated with the coats of arms of De Haar and Van Zuylen. The set was made in 1894 by the Tichelaar Brothers of Makkum. This firm also supplied the Josina De Haar tableware set for De Haar Castle.
The set can be seen in a photograph of the dining room in the photo album *Le Chateau De Haar à Haarzuylens* (plate 31). Prominently displayed on the table, we see that a bouquet of grass has been placed in the large tower of the set, which is being used as a centerpiece, or “piece de milieu de table.” The Josina De Haar dinner service is beautifully displayed on the table against the left-hand wall.
At the Cuypershuis, it is displayed alongside cutlery and the Josina De Haar tableware set, which was specially loaned by De Haar Castle for the permanent exhibition. Together, these are beautiful examples of the total work of art that Cuypers created.
