A pair of Dutch Magistrates' cushion covers with the arms of Gouda, woven for Willem van der Hoeve (1729-d. after 1795) dated 1762

Sotheby's Amsterdam, April 11, 2006, lot 32

Restoration throughout. Open warps and splits. Reverse of cushion covered in yellow brocade.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Smit, Een regentendagboek uit de 18de eeuw, Gouda, 1957 CHECK
Ebeltje Hartkamp-Jonxis, The Magistrate's Cushion, trans. Patricia Wardle, Amsterdam, 1995

For other examples of Dutch Magistrates' cushions bearing the arms of Gouda, see inv. nos. BK-NM-3958 and BK-16227 at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

For tapestry workshops, cushions often provided for a reliable source of income at times when orders for the expensive tapestry hangings, woven in the same ateliers, were few. Towards the third quarter of the 18th century, the workshops stopped producing hanging tapestries but continued weaving cushion fronts. One of the last commissions of magistrates' cushions to the town council of Gouda dates from 1787; it was delivered by a Brussels workshop as the weaving industry in Holland had ceased to exist. Three cushions were ordered by the town council of Gouda in 1762. The total costs including the 'tapyten kussenbladen' reached up to the sum of Dfl. 116 20, in those days a costly affair. 'A Regent's diary in the 18th century', the diary kept by Willem van der Hoeve himself mentions at least one of them: ' 27 Januari. Ontfangen 't Stadskussen met mijn naam daarop (')' ('January 27th. Received the magistrate's cushion with my name on it (')').