Scheveningen Fisherwomen with Shell Hat and Shawl Cape, 1932, Paper

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Vibrant 1932 Print of Scheveningen Fisherwomen with Shell Hat and Shawl Cape This striking original lithograph from the 1932 publication … Read more Vibrant 1932 Print of Scheveningen Fisherwomen with Shell Hat and Shawl Cape This striking original lithograph from the 1932 publication *The National Costumes of Holland* by Gratiane de Gardilanne and Elizabeth Whitney Moffatt, vividly portrays women and a child from the fishing village of Scheveningen. Once a bustling harbor town near The Hague, Scheveningen developed a unique local costume that managed to survive modernization efforts well into the early 20th century. The scene is a lively depiction of two Scheveningen women and a barefoot child mending fishing nets, each adorned in historically accurate dress reflecting the traditional garments worn between 1840 and 1890. The woman on the left wears the notable **schelpboed** or "shell hat" — a remarkable headpiece of fine straw with a bold brim that bends upward in front and back. This hat is accented by a **gold oorijzer**, a traditional Dutch head-ornament curving around the back of the head and terminating in two ornate oval plates called **stukken**, secured with long gold pins. Her shawl cape, known as a **schoormantel**, is fashioned from black wincey and lined in red, demonstrating the daily variation of this cape, as opposed to the more somber black-cloaked mourning version. Her bodice is low-cut and made of dark floral merino, cinched with a red and white checked kerchief tucked into the front — a practical and decorative detail. She wears five petticoats and a blue apron with a distinctive red, white, and blue checked yoke, indicative of the pride in local textile traditions. Three coral bead necklaces fastened with a gold clasp add further character and historical authenticity. The woman in the center is similarly dressed, yet slightly more subdued — her lack of a 'schoormantel' indicating her status as a local peasant rather than a fisherwoman. Her lace cap is drawn more tightly around her head, highlighting a variance in personal dress customs within the same region. To the right, a barefoot boy is depicted in working attire, busily engaged with a fishing net. His cap, possibly a straw fisherman's hat, and rolled-up sleeves underscore his role in the coastal labor life of Scheveningen. Condition: This original print is in excellent condition, with rich, vibrant color retention and no tears or foxing. The paper is clean and the printing crisp, a testament to the superior lithographic quality of the 1932 limited edition. Framing Suggestions: To showcase the vivid detail and period charm, consider framing this piece in a wide, natural oak or light gilt wooden frame with an off-white or soft blue acid-free mat. A non-reflective museum glass would protect the image while enhancing viewing clarity, ideal for a gallery wall or heritage-themed interior. See less