The material culture of drinking and the construction of social identities in the seventeenth-century Dutch Republic
After gaining their independence, the seventeenth-century Northern Netherlands experienced a Golden Age of wealth and prosperity. However, there was not yet a sense of national unity, and changes in society, politics, wealth and world view all created flux in identity. Drinking was both a fundamental and yet also highly charged activity, taking place in the home, taverns, and at events such as weddings. Playing a vital role in hospitality and community bonding, drinking became an important activity in the communication of developing identities, affiliations and Dutch national feeling. This thesis examines material culture gathered from domestic cesspits dating between 1500 and 1800 from across the Dutch Republic, to determine which aspects of identity may have been communicated through drinking vessels. Archaeological assemblages of vessels were used to create status profiles, a method of comparing artefact groups to identify the status of the household. The quantities of high quality glassware proved to be the most diagnostic feature of status until the eighteenth century when ceramics became more highly sought. Different types of sites, like hospitals and taverns, also presented a distinct profile of material.
Finn, Claire P.
The material culture of drinking and the construction of social identities in the seventeenth-century Dutch Republic. After gaining their independence, the seventeenth-century Northern Netherlands experienced a Golden Age of wealth and prosperity. However, there was not yet a sense of national unity, and changes in society, politics, wealth and world view all created flux in identity. Drinking was both a fundamental and yet also highly charged activity, taking place in the home, taverns, and at events such as weddings. Playing a vital role in hospitality and community bonding, drinking became an important activity in the communication of developing identities, affiliations and Dutch national feeling. This thesis examines material culture gathered from domestic cesspits dating between 1500 and 1800 from across the Dutch Republic, to determine which aspects of identity may have been communicated through drinking vessels. Archaeological assemblages of vessels were used to create status profiles, a method of comparing artefact groups to identify the status of the household. The quantities of high quality glassware proved to be the most diagnostic feature of status until the eighteenth century when ceramics became more highly sought. Different types of sites, like hospitals and taverns, also presented a distinct profile of material.
material_culture drink construction social_identity seventeenth_century dutch republic gain independence seventeenth_century northern netherlands experience golden_age wealth prosperity however yet sense national_unity change society_politics wealth world_view create flux identity drinking fundamental yet_also highly charge activity_take_place home event wedding playing vital_role hospitality community drinking become_important activity communication develop identity affiliation dutch national feeling examines material_culture gather domestic date across dutch republic determine aspect identity may communicate drinking vessel archaeological_assemblage vessel_use create status profile method compare artefact group identify status household quantity high_quality prove diagnostic feature status ceramic become_highly seek different_type sit like hospital also_present distinct profile material