Gilt Leather Wall Hangings Kunsthandel Glass

Gilt Leather Wall Hangings
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Kunsthandel Glass
1978 - 2013
Kunsthandel Glass
An der Promenade 11
D 52428 Jülich
Tel.: +49 (0) 2461/93.50.955
Fax: +49 (0) 2461/93.16.080
E: kunsthandel.glass@t-online.de
W: kunsthandel-glass.de
Visit by appointment at any time
Kunsthandel Glass was founded in 1978
and has taken part in TEFAF Maastricht since 1991
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Copyright 2013 by Kunsthandel Glass. All rights reserved
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Kunsthandel Glass.
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The art dealer Horst H. Glass and Ernst-Heinrich
Tielker have specialized in historical wall hangings,
particularly on gilt leather wall hangings. They
have acquired important collections from Belgium,
The Netherlands, France as well as some cabinet
rooms from European aristocratic families.
The art historian Dr. Thomas Dann thus concludes
in his article Gilt Leather - Valuable Wall
Decoration of Former Times (in WELTKUNST)
„[...] the worldwide probably largest collection.
A tour through the gallery conveys the glamour
of the great extent of previous luxurious wall
decoration”.
The published catalogues of their various collections met with great interest. Apart from the
historic development of gilt leather wall hangings
and their ornaments, reliable information as a
source to determine their age, their regions and
their workshops is presented too. All published
objects are provided with similar examples from
museums and private collections.
The journalist Susanne Henle draws the conclusion in FAZ (that) „[...] Glass has to be
regarded as the most important art dealer in this
area worldwide”.
This publication is also intended to present some
examples of embellishing interior decoration
by gilt leather wall hangings very effectively
even today. Therefore the freelance journalist
Regina Voges interviewed a couple who have
become collectors of this extraordinary field of
works of art.
Interview
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Interview with a married couple from Aachen who are collectors of gilt leather wall hangings
You collect gilt leather wall hangings. How
Do you focus on special topics?
and when did you develop your interest in
In the true sense there are no special topics.
We are mainly directed by our aesthetic feelings.
First we only bought Dutch wall hangings, then
we discovered Italian objects. As regards the
Italian pieces of our collection, we particularly
appreciate the arrangements of colours and
the structure of their surface by punching and
contouring their motifs. In the Italian workshops
they stayed with this traditional technique,
whereas in the Netherlands the embossing
technique was established.
these items?
We bought our first leather panel on the TEFAF in
Maastricht in April 2000. Although we had visited
the fair several times in previous years, the stand
of Kunsthandel Glass had not really attracted our
attention. After we had recognized it, a whole
new world was presented to us. Spontaneously,
we bought a Dutch gilt leather panel from about
1650/70. It presents shells on a pearl-grey
background, creepers with a composition of fruits, flowers, spikes
and grapes. This purchase should
only have been another acquisition
for our small art collection of still
life, but it was the beginning of a
new passion.
moment?
We might be interested in French
and Spanish wall hangings to
complete our collection.
Why do you regard leather wall hangings as
Which are your favourite pieces?
fascinating?
Our collection already contains various pieces
which we like very much. Apart from our first
acquisition we especially appreciate a large Italian gilt leather panneau from the time between
the beginning and the middle of the 16th century.
It shows big pomegranate ornaments in vertical
border framing with mermaids. But a Dutch panel
from the end of the 16th century is a favourite
one, too. This piece presents a curved line
ornament with leaves, which attracts our attention again and again. It is fascinating to watch
the ornament develop its full impact because of
the light. The artist has achieved this effect with
the help of strict punching of the surface. Only
two more pieces of this example are known. Ours
was presented at an exhibition at Oranienbaum
palace in 2007. Of course we are quite proud.
From the 17th century we particularly like wall
Today you come across gilt leather wall hangings of the 16th to the 18th century in palaces,
mansions and castles, even in museums. Our
interest in them has grown the more we found
out about the origin and techniques of this art
of work. We are particularly interested in the
realisation of their decors, e.g. being involved
in this topic we have experienced that many
patterns of the 16th century were based on
textile designs. In the 17th and 18th century,
however, many drafts were laid out which were
created for special workshops in particular.
How large is your collection now?
We now own 26 leather panels and borders from
1500 till the end of the 18 th century. They are
mainly Dutch and Italian wall hangings.
What are you looking for at the
KUNSTHANDEL GLASS
hangings with allegorical patterns, e.g. “Atalante
and Meleager” by an Amsterdam workshop. This
category also comprises the impressive panel
by the wonderful title “Sine Cerere et Bacchus
friget Venus” (Venus feels cold without Cerere and
Bacchus). At the time of its origin this pattern
was a favourite decoration in dining rooms. Last
but not least we are always delighted about
our Mechelen wall hanging by the workshop of
Carolus Jacob. Its origin is from the early 18 th century and belonged to one of the most important
Belgian aristocratic families before it became part
of our collection. Moreover we own a beautiful
collection of borders designed by Daniel Marot.
Your range of collection is quite
exotic. What do your friends and
acquaintances think about your
interest?
Our friends can only partly understand our enthusiasm, but they
show a growing interest in our new
pieces and they are envious about
our extraordinary field of collection.
white walls in rooms with white marble floors and
small antique pieces of furniture. In one of our
rooms there is an old Danish tiled stove. Apart
from a few leather panels it is only decorated with
three paintings. One of them shows an abstract
composition of colours. We got it from an artist
we are acquainted with. Due to built-in lights on
the ceiling we can illuminate our treasures very
effectively but gently.
Has the interest in this field of collection provided you with any new knowledge as regards
art or cultural history?
Being engaged in our filed of collection, we were
able to add interesting aspects to our temporary
senior studies at Aachen university,
especially in the field of the early
culture of living. We look at Dutch
paintings showing interior decoration from a different perspective
now. Thus we often discover leather
wall hangings.
In which way has this collection enriched your
life?
Has anyone among your friends adopted your
passion for gilt leather wall hangings?
So far we have only been able to arouse so
great an enthusiasm within another couple
that they have bought a beautiful allegorical
leather wall hanging from the 17 th century which
originally came from a German castle.
Do you live surrounded by the hangings or do
We often stay at home, looking at our beautiful
collection and then forget about every day life.
Do you wish to present your treasures to the
public some time?
Indeed, we have thought about it, but so far
not considered it deeply. The curator at the
Suermondt-Ludwig museum has thought about
presenting our collection there.
you store them at a special place?
Fortunately we have large rooms and therefore we are able to live with all leather panels
purchased so far.
Which pieces of furniture and paintings do
Where do you “hunt” new pieces for your collection? – Art trade? Auctions?
Until now we have purchased all our gilt leather
wall hangings at art trade. There we feel advised
in a competent and reliable way.
you combine your wall hangings with?
The collection reveals its entire beauty on the
(Interview conducted by freelance journalist Regina Voges)
Interieur
Embedding former times into modern life-style
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Interieur
Embedding former times into modern life-style
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1 - 4 • Private collection, Aachen (D)
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Interieur
Embedding former times into modern life-style
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1 • Large gilt leather wall hanging, The Netherlands,
1760-63. Provenance: Castle Male, Bruges (B).
Private property, Meerbusch (D)
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2 • Gilt leather wall hanging, The Netherlands, 170325. Private property, Essen (D)
3 + 4 • Gilt leather wall hanging, The Netherlands,
1703-25. Wasserburg Anholt (D), Blue Salon
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Interieur
Embedding former times into modern life-style
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1 + 2 • Gilt leather panel with border, France, around
1712, workshop of Raymond Boissier, Avignon.
Provenance: Ex-collection Cora Ginsburg, New York.
Private property, Maastricht (NL)
3 • Border, Spain, around 1550. Private property,
The Hague (NL)
4 + 5 • Gilt leather panels and borders, 17 th and 18th
century. Private property, Bünde (D)
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Interieur
Embedding former times into modern life-style
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Interieur
Embedding former times into modern life-style
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1 + 2 • Ensemble of four painted leather wall
hangings (wild boar hunt, stag hunt, hare hunt, wolf
hunt). Probably France, around 1700. Schlosshotel
Velen (D)
3 • Part of a gilt leather wall hanging, bizarre style.
Italy, 1700/10. Private property, Schwyz (CH)
4 • From a collection of gilt leather panels and paper
wall hangings. France, 1785, Paris, workshop of
Réveillon. Private property, Emmelshausen (D)
5 • Detail no. 3
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KUNSTHANDEL GLASS
Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 18th century
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1 • Gilt leather wall hanging The Four Elements, The
Netherlands, around 1720, 193 x 240 cm
3 • Detail no. 1
4 • Detail no. 2
2 • Detail of a similiar panel with other colours
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5 • Detail no. 3
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 18th century
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1 • Gilt leather wall hanging, The Netherlands, 171530, 171 x 468 cm. Provenance: Noble ownership,
Brussels (B)
2 + 3 • Details no. 1
4 • Detail no. 5
5 • Gilt leather wall hanging, South Netherlands,
1720/30, Mechelen, workshop of Carolus Jacob
(1693-1723), attributed, 219 x 767 cm. Provenance:
Noble ownership, Belgium
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 18th century
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1 • Antependium, gilt leather with flock, Italy, mid 18 th century,
78 x 186 cm
2 • Gilt leather panel, South Netherlands, 1700 - 08, 72 x 57
cm. Provenance: Collection van Herck, Antwerp (B)
3 • Models of three gilt leather wall hangings, South
Netherlands, 1765 - 70, Brussels, workshop of Cornelis ´t
Kindt (active 1752-1775), each 50 x 39 cm. Provenance:
Collection van Herck, Antwerp (B)
4 • Two gilt leather panneaux, South Netherlands, around
1740, each 150 x 50 cm. Provenance: Collection van Herck,
Antwerp (B)
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KUNSTHANDEL GLASS
Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 18th century
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1 - 3 • Details no. 4
4 • Five gilt leather panneaux, Great Britain, around
1760, each 203 x 51 cm
5 + 6 • Details no. 4
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 18th century
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1 • Gilt leather wall hanging, The Netherlands, 173540. Amsterdam, workshop of Nicolaas Blankert (active
1735-40), 363 x 138 cm. Provenance: Collection van
Herck, Antwerp (B)
2 • Rare gilt leather panneau, The Netherlands, mid
18th century, 160 x 85 cm
3 • Detail no. 2
4 • Rare gilt leather panneau, The Netherlands, mid
18th century, 130 x 82 cm
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KUNSTHANDEL GLASS
Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 18th century
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1 • Small gilt leather wall hanging, The Netherlands,
1745-60, 146 x 228 cm
2 • Small gilt leather wall hanging, The Netherlands,
1725-40, 184 x 232 cm
3 • Gilt leather border, South Netherlands, 1703-25,
Mechelen, workshop of Carolus Jacob (1693-1728)
attr., 32,5 x 57 cm
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KUNSTHANDEL GLASS
Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 18th century
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1 • Exceptional gilt leather wall hanging, South
Netherlands, around 1760, Brussels, workshop of
Cornelis ´t Kindt (active 1752-75), 243 x 130 cm
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3
2 • Rare gilt leather wall hanging, The Netherlands,
1750-60, 264 x 274,5 cm
3 • Detail no. 2
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 18th century
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1 • Small gilt leather wall hanging, The Netherlands,
1703-25, 153 x 122 cm. The decors are based on
textile patterns published around 1703 from the
series Patrons d’Etoffes et de Velours by the
architect Daniel Marot (1661-1752)
2 • Gilt leather panel, France around 1712, workshop
of Raymond Boissier, Avignon, 105 x 54 cm.
Provenance: Ex-Collection Cora Ginsburg, New York
(USA)
3 • Gilt leather panel, Italy, 1700-50, 75 x 50 cm.
Provenance: Collection Peters, Tilburg (NL)
4 • Gilt leather wall hanging, The Netherlands, 18601900, 225 x 600 cm. Provenance: Castle de List,
Schoten (B)
5 • Detail no. 4
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 18th century
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1 • Guilt leather panel, The Netherlands, 1725-40,
74 x 58,5 cm. Provenance: Collection Alfons van
Herck, Antwerp (B)
2 • Gilt leather panel, France, 1720-30, 64 x 54 cm
3 • Gilt leather panel, The Netherlands, 1703-25, 75
x 59 cm (Daniel Marot, 1661-1752)
4 • Very rare gilt leather wall hanging, The
Netherlands, 1715-30, 195 x 290 cm
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 17th century
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KUNSTHANDEL GLASS
Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 17th century
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1 • Unique gilt leather wall hanging with border and
small and long grotesque. South Netherlands, second
quarter of 17th century, 282 x 385 cm. Provenance:
Palais Madou, Brussels (B). The stylistic similarities
with Italian prints dating from the period 1500-35 are
striking, especially those by the artists Nicoletto Rosas
da Modena, Peregrino da Cesenas and Agostino de
Musis, called Veneziano. The pattern is formed by a
combination of five smaller panels, which are being
glued above each other. For each of these five panels,
a different printing mould has been used, with even a
sixth for the border. This combination of six printing
moulds for just one wall hanging is unparalleled and
must have made it extremely expensive.
2 + 3 • Details no. 1
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 17th century
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KUNSTHANDEL GLASS
Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 17th century
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1 • Gilt leather panneau Meleagros and Atalante,
North Netherlands, 1640-60. Amsterdam, workshop
De Gecroonde Son of Jacob and Abraham Hamer
(attr.), 141 x 113 cm. Provenance: Private collection,
Aachen (D)
2 • Gilt leather panneau, North Netherlands, 166080. Amsterdam, workshop De Vergulde Roemer
of Pieter van Dam, Jacob van Ipen and Pieter Potter
(attr.), 74 x 116,5 cm. Provenance: Collection van
Herck, Antwerp (B)
3 • Detail no. 2
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 17th century
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KUNSTHANDEL GLASS
Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 17th century
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1 • Gilt leather panneau Meleagros and Atalante,
North Netherlands, 1640-60. Amsterdam, workshop De
Gecroonde Son of Jacob and Abraham Hamer (attr.),
152 x 120 cm. Provenance: Hanley Castle, Severn End
near Malvern (GB)
2 • Rare gilt leather panneau Sine Cerere et Bacchus
friget Venus (Venus feels cold without Cerere and
Bacchus), North Netherlands, 1650-70, 64 x 115 cm
3 • Detail no. 2
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 17th century
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 17th century
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1 • Gilt leather panel, The Netherlands, 1670-90, 64
x 50 cm. Provenance: Collection Peters, Tilburg (NL)
2 • Gilt leather panel The five Senses, The Netherlands, 1650-70, 66,5 x 59 cm
3 • Gilt leather panel, The Netherlands, 1670-90,
54,5 x 51,5 cm. Provenance: Collection Peters,
Tilburg (NL)
4 • Gilt leather panel, The Netherlands, 1680-1700,
69 x 55,5 cm. Provenance: Collection van Herck,
Antwerp (B)
5
Gilt leather panel Sine Cerere et Bacchus
(Venus feels cold without Cerere and
Bacchus), North Netherlands, 1670-80, 70 x 55 cm.
Provenance: Collection Edmond van Zuylen (18361895), Liège (B)
•
friget Venus
6 • Rare gilt leather panel, The Netherlands, 166070, 74 x 58 cm. Provenance: Private ownership,
formerly Castle Rossewitz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
(D)
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 17th century
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KUNSTHANDEL GLASS
Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 17th century
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1 • Gilt leather panel, Italy, 1650-1700, 55 x 37 cm.
Provenance: Collection van Herck, Antwerp (B)
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2 • Gilt leather panel, The Netherlands, 1640-1660,
70 x 56 cm
3 • Gilt leather panel The Aristocratic Hunting, The
Netherlands, around 1700, 57 x 66 cm
4 • Gilt leather panneau, Italy, around 1650, 66 x 166
cm. Provenance: Private collection, Berlin (D)
5 • Detail no. 4
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 16th century
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KUNSTHANDEL GLASS
Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 16th century
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1 • Gilt leather wall hanging, Italy, early 16th century,
164 x 175 cm
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2 + 3 • Details no. 1
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 16th century
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KUNSTHANDEL GLASS
Art Works for Sale
A selection of gilt leather wall hangings from the 16th century
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1 • Gilt leather border, Italy, 1550-1600, 25,5 x 52
cm. Provenance: Collection van Herck, Antwerp (B)
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2 • Gilt leather panneau, Italy, 1550-1600, 63 x 98
cm. Provenance: Collection van Herck, Antwerp (B)
3 • Gilt leather panneu, Spain, around 1550, 54 x
177 cm. Provenance: Collection Edmond van Zuylen
(1836-1895), Liège (B)
4 • Detail no. 3
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Art Works for Sale
A selection of paper wall hangings from the 19th century
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1 • Chinese flower- and bird paper wall hanging, China,
Chia-ch’ing period, workshop of Lampua, Whampoa
(Kanton), (attr.), 1st third 19th century, 365 x 237 cm.
Certificate of authenticity: Dr. F. Wappenschmidt
2 • Six paper wall hangings, Allegorys, France 1844.
Paris, manufacture Jules Desfossé. Each 194 x 58
cm
Bibliography
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•
•
Deutsches Ledermuseum Schuhmuseum Offenbach, Rosita Nenno, Lederlust – Meisterwerke der
angewandten Kunst aus dem Deutschen Ledermuseum Offenbach, Offenbach 2006
•
Fournet, Jean-Pierre, Les cuirs dorés anciens en France, Paris 2004
•
Galerie Glass, Ledertapeten, Essen 1991
•
•
•
•
•
•
50
Deutsches Ledermuseum Schuhmuseum Offenbach, Jutta Göpfrich, Nina Frankenhauser, Katharina
Mackert, Exh.-Cat. Wettlauf mit der Vergänglichkeit - A Race against Transience, Offenbach
2012
Museumslandschaft hessen kassel, Deutsches Tapetenmuseum, Sabine Thümmler, Caroline Eva
Gerner, Exh.-Cat. Goldrausch. Die Pracht der Goldledertapeten, Kassel 2006
Museo Stefano Bardini, Guia Rossignoli, Cuoi d’oro, Florence 2009
Kulturstiftung Dessau Wörlitz, Oranienbaum-Journal No. 1/07, Ex.-Cat. Fürstlich eingerichtet –
Gülden Leder und Delffsch Porcellain im Schloss Oranienbaum, Oranienbaum 2007
Kunsthandel Glass, Bedeutende Goldledertapeten 1550-1900 - Important Gilt Leather Wall
Hangings 1550-1900, Essen, 1998
Kunsthandel Glass, Druckmodel für Goldledertapeten – Printing Moulds for Gilt Leather, Essen,
2004
Scholten, Frits (ed.), Goudleer Kinkarakawa – De geschiedenis van het Nederlands goudleer
en zijn invloed in Japan, Zwolle 1989
Fotocredits
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de Vries, Pieter, Texel (NL)
Page 8 (nos. 1+2)
Fotostudio 4ever, M. Sommer, Ahaus (D)
Page 14
Kunsthandel Glass, Jülich (D)
Page 10 (no. 2)
Page 16 (no. 1)
Page 17 (nos. 2+3)
Page 18 (no. 1)
Page 19 (no. 5)
Page 20 (nos. 1+2)
Page 21 (nos. 3+4)
Page 23 (no. 4)
Pages 24-49
Obermeyer, Dieter, Bad Oeynhausen (D)
Page 9 (nos. 3+4)
Page 10 (no. 1)
Page 11 (nos. 3+4)
Page 13 (no. 4+5)
Rosenberg, Robert, Einsiedeln (CH)
Page 15 (nos. 5+7)
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Realisation
Kolja Kracht
www.ruhrstadtmedia.de
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