Willem Claesz Heda

[Scylax]

This fine artist has a place in the Rijksmuseum, in
Amsterdam, with his painting entitled:
'Still-life with gilt goblet'

In the left foreground there is a plate which contains
a long coil of paper, tapering to a point.

Can anyone enlighten me regarding the purpose
or significance of this rather strange item ?

[MustafaTickl]

I've no idea but here it is
http://www.wga.hu/art/h/heda/goblet.jpg

[shaneystar2]

On one of the plates there is a packet of spices in a rolled-up page from an almanac. The famous Enkhuizen Almanac first appeared in 1632.. This was a sign of luxury. Salt and pepper were expensive in the seventeenth century and were therefore given pride of place at richly-laid tables.
Tells you all about it at the Rijksmuseum website
here

[Scylax]

Thank you both.

A 50cm. print of this picture now hangs in my dining-room.
It was a 'must-have' when I first saw it in Amsterdam,
together with another masterpiece, 'Children of the Sea',
by Jozef Israels.

The sheer skill of the artists is breath-stopping........

[shaneystar2]

It's a beautiful picture . Something you can look at for ages .I think the lemon is fantastic. I have spent many a happy day wandering round the Rijksmuseum when we lived in Holland. A great picture for a dining room. Enjoy it !