Conducts research and collects data on the global history of labour, workers, and labour relations

A Silver Skimmer

Sara l’Empereur d’Oppyck (1632-1685) lived in Leiden with her husband Marcus Davidsz Du Tour (1623-1672), a peer in the service of the court of Frederik Hendrik. Thanks to Sara’s account book, we know that this noble family had a very healthy and varied diet.
On the menu in 1660: capon, partridge, hare, haddock, salmon, turkey, asparagus, radishes, carrots, lemons, oranges, and beer, wine, and brandy.

Sara’s three children had a tutor, “Master Henderickx”, who earned fourteen guilders.
The tutoress, “Madam Marotte”, got a mere 2 guilders 80 cents.
Every week twelve cents went to “the poor”.
Many times larger was the amount paid to the “silversmith for crafting the silver buttons for my husband’s dress-coat, the skimmer’s handle, a spoon handle and a new spoon, a silver lid …”
All sorts of handymen were hired to maintain and repair the house. In 1660 their wages for the year were:

Painter, 69 guilders; plumber, 3 guilders, 36 cents; farrier, 34 guilders 15 cents; locksmith, 27 guilders 35 cents; glazier, 17 guilders.
“The slater has been commissioned to repair the roof of the stables and maintain it during the year for 10 guilders.”

Collection Du Tour-l'Empereur d'Oppyck

Calculating Tool Value of the Guilder