Fantastic sea creatures, monstrous beasts, whimsical body shapes and fluid contours that seem to drip like syrup from a spoon: all are manifestations of the ornament style known as kwab, \u2018auricular\u2019 or \u2018lobate\u2019 – with the English denominations referring to the organic forms of the ear. In the 17th century their almost molten form was to be found on luxury items such as ewers, dishes, furniture, wall-hangings and frames in the most stylish interiors of the elite. The kwab style is the most sensational and important Dutch contribution to the development of decorative art in Europe. Its originators \u2013 the Dutch silversmiths Paulus and Adam van Vianen and Johannes Lutma \u2013 enjoyed unprecedented fame in their day. Their work was also an inspiration for artists such as Rembrandt and the cabinetmaker Herman Doomer. In this exhibition, a spectacular design by theatre and lighting designer Keso Dekker, renowned for his ballet sets by Hans van Manen, brings together 130 auricular masterpieces in t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Fantastic sea creatures, monstrous beasts, whimsical body shapes and fluid contours that seem to drip like syrup from a spoon: […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[97],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-publications"],"yoast_head":"\n