Vuurbok met adelaar 1669 - 1693

This design for an andiron, or ‘vuurbok’, was created by Jean Cotelle in the 17th century as an etching. An etching is an indirect printmaking technique. The plate would have been metal, likely copper, and coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. Cotelle would have scratched his design through this coating, exposing the metal. The plate then would have been bathed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. After removing the wax, ink was applied to the plate, filling the grooves, and the surface was wiped clean. Finally, damp paper was pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. While this etching is two-dimensional, it displays how the andiron would have looked in three dimensions. It's full of extravagant embellishments of eagles, garlands, and lions - all popular design motifs at the time. Consider the labor that would have been involved in realizing such a design; it would have been a true demonstration of skill. The print is itself a testament to the ingenuity of the etching process, allowing for the widespread dissemination of such designs.