Instructie over het onderhoud van de kleine slangbrandspuiten, ca. 1800 1784 - 1830

This 18th-century anonymous illustration from the Netherlands details the proper maintenance of small hand-operated pumps used for firefighting and gardening. The image depicts a hand forcing water into a small pump with a piston, demonstrating a technique for cleaning and lubricating the device. The text accompanying the image provides detailed instructions for the user, offering practical advice on caring for this essential tool. This instructional piece offers a glimpse into the lives of early-modern Europeans, highlighting their reliance on simple technology and their practical knowledge of how to maintain it.