Set of gilt-leather wall hangings

De Gecroonde Son · 1650-01-01T00:00:00Z

Use of painted leather panels for the decoration of walls was long practiced in Spain. The first workshop to produce such decorative hangings in The Netherlands was established in Amsterdam by 1611. Typically Dutch is the use of molds to press a pattern in relief into the leather creating particularly sumptuous effects. Although generally known as gilt leather, silver leaf was applied to the prepared calf hides which were then covered by a yellow varnish making it resemble gilding. Among the garlands of fruits and flowers, are putti symbolizing the Five Senses.