Belgian Furniture

Floor lamp in cast bronze. Dimensions: width 165mm - height 240mm - depth 110mm. LED 2700K or 3000K 7.5W 360lm 10° (dimmable). Casambi, wireless lighting control system (bluetooth). ...

Quality 23kt gold layered and thick clear glass two tier coffee table manufactured by Belgochrom. This table is a popular model and is referred to as the 'G' model Belgochrom produ...

A gold wall sconce or wall light by Belgian designer Willy Daro for lighting manufacturer Massive. It has a wonderful naturalistic shape and is very decorative of the 1970s era. The...

The beautifully carved front façade is not the only impressive element of this oak strongbox trunk; the interior is reinforced with an iron strapwork “cage”, strengthening the alread...

arch 01.2 c is a stool or side table. The arch 01.2 c takes things a little bit further than its precedent, the arch 01.1 c. It was designed into our latest travertine collection. A ...

Vintage granite dining table with an architectural stepped double base. Amazing natural veining/motive in the stone. Good condition. 1970s - Belgium Height: 74cm/29.13" Width:...

love these papier maché floor lamps, sturdy and quirky... sold as a pair, more available.

Bo Niko Wall Light In Bakelite Holder, 1960s. White opal frosted conical glass lampshade. Perfect wall lamps for your bathroom or hallway. Bakelite E14 ...

Hand-woven in Flanders (part of modern-day Belgium) during the 1700s, this wool and silk tapestry features a thick canopy of trees outside of a walled city. This style of weaving, kn...

The face of this 12" x 20" pillow features Tutsi in Ivory paired with Piet Performance Linen in Flax on the back. A hardwearing yet sophisticated heavyweight velvet, Tutsi combines A...

Bronze inkwell by H.Luppens & Cie, Bruxelles, Belgium, 1900 Famous bronze company of Brussels of the 19th century. The H.Luppens & Cie Foundry had its workshops in Saint-Gilles, 15 ...

Vintage Early 20th Century Artisan Made "MONK" model Tripod Three Legged Side Chair. Made in Belgium, 1930's period. Turned beech wood construc...

Aimi Dining Table by Kasanai Dimensions: D 100 x W 200 x H 76 cm. Materials: Lime plaster. Also available in different dimensions and colors. Please contact us. Aimi’s organic, free...

Blue crystal pendant created by De Grelle Val St. Lambert in 1950 Belgium. Measures: Diameter 23 cm. Total height including the chain and canopy 100 cm.

This magnificent tapestry was woven in Flanders during the middle of the European Renaissance, in the late 1500s. At this time, Flanders was creating some of the best textiles in the world, and many of the rich wooded scenes with animals and hunting motifs began to appear. Tapestries subjects were thick forests and park lands, hunting scenes filled with deer, birds, exotic animals, and even mythological creatures. These were later referred to as Game Park tapestries...

This is a sublime piece by the hugely influential and world renowned Belgian artist Marc d'Haenens. The quality and scale of this piece cannot be overstated, a single enormous slice of agate sits within the Brutalist gilt body, this is surrounded by huge crystal shards, and onyx eggs...

Antique File Card Cabinet with Tambour Door recalls the days prior to computers, when index cards held a wealth of information, used in just ...

Hollywood regency brass crane bird coffee table. The coffee table consists of a brass base featuring 3 brass crane birds and a round clear glass top...

1920's Iron Stone New Old Stock Jam Jars - Large Quantity Available. New old stock from the original Belgian confitures factory of Mirland & Co, Frameries Belgium. We salvaged a larg...

Beautiful Antoine De Vinck stamped ceramic vase, circa 1972, Belgium. Grey sandstone, burgundy and brown decor. Dimensions: 31 cm H, 12 cm W, 10 cm D. Good original condition. All pu...

This 11" x 16" pillow features Star Epingle in Blue. Hardwearing epingle velvet reprises an evergreen star motif reminiscent of needlepoint. Chameleon-like, it can embody a folksy Am...

A lovely large antique Dutch Delft faience trumpet vase made by well known maker Boch Frères Keramis in La Louvière, Belgium, circa 1890. Maker's mark on reverse. This gorgeous vase ...

Cabinet designed by Willy Van Der Meeren and executed circa 1950 for Tubex. In good original condition, preserving a beautiful patina, with minor wear consistent with age and use. ...

Chandelier / Pendant Lamp 'Rey I' by Ann Demeulemeester for SERAX Color: Scarlet/Cream Material: steel and viscose Cable length: 3m Compliant bulb: E27 max 5W The 'Rey I' pendant l...

Contemporary Belgian design, handmade natural plaster bench with a textured and earthy character. Indoor use (price outdoor +10%) Latin adjective “columna” /koˈlum. na/: column, pi...

For your consideration is this fabulous 1930s modernist clock originating from Belgium and is etched into the glass on the bottom edge 'Made in Belgium'. You only have to do the Mini...

UFO coffee table by Jean Maneval for Meubilier de France from the 1960s. High-quality white plastic frame with a table top made of smoked glass and a ...

ONE OF TWO AVAILABLE Designed and manufactured in Belgium in the 1960s by the acclaimed lighting manufacturer S.A. Boulanger this exquisite table lamps oozes with luxurious elegance...

Art Deco sideboard from the Voltaire Serie designed by the Coene Freres in Kortrijk, Belgium with four hinged cabinet doors, with bronze relief leave plaques and includes the origina...

The Color Experience: Stained-glass windows “Color is a power which directly influences the soul” (Wassili Kandinsky, Moskou 1866 – Neuilly-sur-Seine, 1944) “Color! What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams!” (« La couleur ! Quelle langue profonde et mystérieuse, le langage des rêves », Paul Gauguin, Paris, 1848-Fatu-Hiva, 1903) ‘Color and feeling’, ‘color and meaning’, these are concepts that have gone together since time immemorial. Artists and craftsmen have a special bond with color. After all, it is a means of expression that can have a real reinforcing effect. Especially linking color with light offers unlimited possibilities. Glaziers and glass painters have tried to master both these ‘instruments’ for centuries. The set of beautifully restored neo-Gothic windows in our collection are enough reason for us to let these works of art figure in a broader story. As a bonus, we would like to introduce you to the contemporary stained-glass artist and stained-glass restorer, Daniël Theys. whose workshop is in Sint-Pieters-Rode (Belgium). He talked to us about the materials and techniques he used for the restoration of our set of neo-Gothic stained-glass windows. A fascinating look at the tricks of the trade from a specialist! A bird’s eye view of the history of the European stained-glass window. Although the Romans already used translucent glass plates to cover wall openings, the stained-glass window reached its peak in Europe between 1150 and 1500. A period also known as the era of the cathedrals. At that time, stained-glass windows became more than just a way to let in the light, and to keep the space closed off. From now on, their functionality was also found in their didactic value. The biblical and saints’ stories that adorned the stained-glass windows became a kind of poor man’s bible. They brought, as it were, the knowledge of the holy scriptures in an understandable, pictorial way. At the same time, the colored light provided additional symbolism. The invading light was interpreted as a manifestation of God. It is also no coincidence that the main altar was bathed in light. It was the place where the most important sacrament was celebrated, that of the Eucharist. How were these magical colors obtained? Well, during the 12th and 13th centuries, metal oxides gave color to the glass. Copper, for example, produced different colors in the various stages of oxidation. The metal could color the glass light blue, green and even red. It should be noted that from the 13th century onwards, clear glass, which was cheaper and at the same time allowed more light into the buildings, was used more often. A century later, in the years 1400 to 1500, glass painters frequently painted onto the glass with a ‘stain’ of silver chloride or sulfide. The painted piece of glass was heat-treated in a furnace. The heating process ensured that the silver ions migrated into the glass and became suspended within the glass network. The stain gave colors ranging from a pale yellow to a rather deep red. This new technique allowed glaziers to get more than one color on a single glass fragment. The shades produced by painting in silver chloride were well suited for depicting golden crowns, scepters and other gilded objects and ornaments. But the most important advantage of the technique was the fact that the glass painter could now make transitions from yellow tones to white without having to apply separations with lead strips! This also improved the legibility of the pictured scene. You can imagine that the labor-intensive process of the production of stained-glass windows was a very costly affair and therefore it was often patrons who donated them to a church or a chapel. The benefactors were usually eager to propagate their social status and were moved by concern for their salvation. In the 16th century, stained-glass windows also began to appear in secular buildings such as town halls, the homes of the wealthy and commercial premises such as inns. It is striking that during this period the use of lead strips that border many parts of the image was further reduced in favor of real painting on stained glass. This was due to an increasing love of detail. For example, one wanted realistically painted portrait heads. Working with enamel paints was cumbersome. Each newly applied color had to be burned into the glass before another color or overpainting could be applied. It was not only the coloring of the glass that was complicated, the process of obtaining flat glass plates required many steps as well. The glazier blew a glass bulb with a blowpipe and then cut it open. Finally, each half of the sphere was turned around so fast that it became a disc. In later periods, the glazier blew out his glass bulb into a cylinder. Once the cylinder had cooled, its closed ends were removed, and the long sides were cut open. The pieces of glass obtained were then heated and flattened. During the 16th century, there was a division of labor between the stained-glass designer, the glazier, and the glass painter. It happened as well that the stained-glass artist used prints as models for his stained-glass windows. Whoever drew the design, the glazier always needed a model on the right scale, the so-called cartoon. On the cartoon, the lead strips were clearly marked, and the use of colors was indicated. Contracts at the time show that the price of stained-glass windows was calculated per square foot. The price per square foot included the labor and material costs. The price of the cartoon was not included. In the 17th century, the work of glass painters remained important. At the same time, there was a growing popularity of stained-glass windows with heraldic themes. In the Low Countries there were several high-quality glass painters active. During the 18th century, glass painting went downhill in our regions. The French occupation of the Southern Netherlands resulted in the destruction and sale of religious stained-glass windows. It was only around the middle of the 19th century that the young Belgian state experienced a revival of stained glass. The renewed interest in the Middle Ages, the so-called ‘gothic revival’, caused a wave of restoration of old stained-glass windows of churches and orders for neo-gothic stained-glass windows. The Sint-Lucas art schools in Belgium played an important role in this. Industrial developments in the glass and steel industries naturally had an important hand in the popularity of stained-glass windows. Stained-glass had a wide range of uses; think of stained glasses in winter gardens, domes, windows, and doors of large mansions. Significant glazier’ studios arose in several larger Belgian cities. In Brussels, for example, you had the workshops of Capronnier and Colpaert, in Bruges the studios of Coucke and Dobbelaere, in Ghent the companies of Ganton-Defoin or Ladon. During the 19th century, glaziers followed the style developments in the visual arts. For example, the number of windows in Art Nouveau and Art Deco style is large. The restored stained-glass windows with male and female saints that we offer for sale, come from a building in Laeken, near Brussels. They probably decorated the space of a church, chapel, convent, or Catholic school. In the results of the interview with glass restorer Daniël Theys, you will learn more about the particularities of these splendid windows. Chatting and browsing in the workshop of Daniël Theys The Belgian Glass restorer and glass blower, Daniël Theys (), made a career switch at a later age and has been active in the profession since 1987. He is an important player in the field of stained-glass window art in Belgium. Moreover, he is the only one in the country who still masters the technique of glass etching. Daniël Theys receives many commissions from small parish churches to restore old stained-glass windows to their former glory. He made a name for himself in that niche and that is how Spectandum brought the set of 19th century stained glass windows to his workshop for reconstruction. They were delivered in old numbered wooden crates and Daniel had to start puzzling. Numbered wooden crates with sections of the stained-glass windows Normally a glazier starts working from a drawing with a scale of 1:1 (full size drawing), but in this case each piece had to be cataloged and photographed. The smaller pieces were grouped on the light box and photographed in their entirety. Then Daniël made a drawing of the remaining pieces that he had puzzled together with great care. Smaller pieces identified and grouped on the light box The restauration guidelines of the Agency for Monuments and Landscapes are not always the same as those of a restorer. For this reconstruction, Daniël primarily considered the purpose of the stained-glass windows. It had to be an aesthetic and salable set of stained-glass windows, so the choice of filling the gaps with neutral glass or epoxy was not really an option. Theys left well-executed previous restorations untouched. The windows may have been repaired three or four times in the past. Piece of a cloak with glass shards from different periods (restorations) Another problem Daniel faced during the restoration was the fact that some small parts of the old grisaille had been eaten away by microorganisms. The defect – caused by moisture – can be seen from the discoloration of the grisaille. The black-brown color is turned red. This fragment shows well how the brown grisaille has turned red due to the attack of micro-organisms The stained-glass windows of the 19th century are made of ‘in the mass-colored’ glass. This means that the colors were added to the liquid glass during its production process. This type of glass differs from glass colored with enamel paint, which became popular from the interwar period. The latter process involves applying enamel paint (this is a glass powder with a metal oxide to which a medium has been added) to the colorless glass. When firing the glass with the enamel paint, the powder fuses with the glass. The colors of email painted glass are less intense and less brilliant than those of ‘in the mass-colored glass’. Jars with colored powder for the enamel paints For the restoration Daniël only worked with mouth-blown glass, both with ‘in the mass-colored glass’ and with ‘verre plaqué’. This is blown glass composed of several layers of different shades. Over the years, Theys built up a large stock of old blown glass. Colored blown glass always has sliding shades. For example, a red piece of glass can have a color transition from bright red to light orange. These differences in shades are the result of the different thicknesses of the piece of glass. It allows the glazier to use a wide variety of shades. The purple-red foliage with light blue accents was obtained by etching away parts of a piece ‘verre plaqué’. A small part of the lower glass layer is exposed. The windows were completely re-leaded by the restorer because there was virtually no ‘lead net’ preserved. In general, lead strips only have a limited lifespan because of oxidation processes. Daniël removed the old lead remnants and placed new lead profiles. Then he applied putty between the glass fragments and the lead strips to seal the lead. A window must be made watertight. The current condition of the windows is excellent. Decorative glass part with original lead remnants New lead strip The set of stained-glass windows we present today, originally consisted of windows of 5 to 6 m high. After all, they originally adorned a neo-gothic church. Since the original dimensions are not suitable for private buildings, it was decided to only restore the figurative representation. The original spire of one of the windows Thanks to a suspension eye, the window can be hung. There is also the possibility to place the window in an upright position. Thanks to the craftsmanship of the Theys-Studio, we can once again enjoy the brilliance of color! Looking for the missing link The set of 19th-century stained-glass windows came into the possession of Spectandum without a clear provenance. The renowned Leuven antiques dealer, Cornelius Engelen, recalls that the windows came from a church in Laeken. There is no solid starting point for a search for the provenance. Based on the style of the stained-glass windows – most probably the late 19th century -, their religious iconography, and their original shape (pointed arch windows) and dimensions (5 to 6 cm high), we can assume that they were once displayed in a (neo-)gothic cult building. On the one hand, the stained-glass windows may have been removed after storm damage or other calamities, on the other they may have been taken away during a renovation or a demolition of a church. The Church of Our Lady in Laeken is the most famous church building in that municipality that could qualify. In the early 1920s, the central windows of the transept were badly damaged by a hurricane. Today, glass fragments of these windows (dating from 1893-1894) with the names of the sixteen missing saints and an arch infill of the western window are officially known. It would be interesting to find out if our set of eight saints once were part of the transept of Our Lady in Laeken. Research in the records of the church administrators could provide clarification. Knowing that most neo-gothic stained-glass windows from the Church of Our Lady come from the Jules Dobbelaere’s glass studio in Bruges, it is useful to consult that company’s archive as well. It is kept in the KADOC (Documentation and research center for religion, culture and; in Leuven. Of course, the sizes and shape of the stone window openings of the transept can also provide an indication. If we stylistically compare the grisailles of the set of stained-glass windows with the work of Jules Dobbelaere, we do see some relationship. Especially with a stained-glass window in the chapel of Our Lady of the Saint Anthony Church in Aalst. Another line of research that we could follow, is that of the iconography of the series. One of the saints depicted is Saint Roch. There once was a Saint-Roch church in Laeken with 19th-century stained-glass windows from the Brussels studio of Jean-Baptiste Capronnier. The company archive of the glaziers François and Jean-Baptiste Capronnier is owned by the Flemish government and can be consulted in the above-mentioned KADOC. We already searched the sales catalog of 1892, in which Capronnier’s drawings and cartoons are described one by one. The saints that are represented in our set of windows, does not correspond with the names of the saints mentioned for the church of St. Roch in Laeken. Building on this argument, it can be concluded that the eight saints were not destined for this house of worship. In the absence of lavishly illustrated monographs on the various glazier-companies in Belgium, the execution of a comparative study of the stained-glass windows is time-consuming and complex. Although a limited number of old photos of stained-glass windows can still be found in the database ‘Balat’ of the KIK-IRPA (), this remains far too limited to get a good picture of the output of the various companies. 19th C, Saint, Neo-Gothic Stained-Glass Window with Saint Martin, Belgium, 163 x 73 cm Most people know Saint Martin (Szombathely, ca. 316 – Candes, 397) as the Roman Tribune who cut his cloak in two with his sword and gave one half to a beggar. The artist of the stained-glass window has opted for a different, less common iconographic representation here. Saint Martin is presented as a bishop with a miter and staff. According to a legend, Martin was lured to the city of Tours with a trick to consecrate him as a bishop. He refused the ecclesiastical office and hid in a barn with some geese. The birds betrayed him with their twittering. In the end Martin received his episcopal consecration. The goose at the feet of the saint clearly refers to this event. 19th C, Saint, Neo-Gothic Stained-Glass Window with St. Angela, Belgium, 163 x 73 cm Angela de Merici was an Italian woman who taught young women religion, health care, and household skills. She founded the monastic community of the Ursulines. They played an important social role as founders of schools and orphanages. Saint Angela died in Brescia in 1540. It should therefore come as no surprise that the saint on the stained-glass-window is depicted with a girl by her side. 19th C, Saint, Neo-Gothic Stained-Glass Window with Charles Borromeo, Belgium, 163 x 73 cm Charles Borromeo (Milan, 1538-1584) grew up in a noble family. He was already made Cardinal and Archbishop of Milan at the age of 24. With his writings he contributed to the implementation of the Church reforms determined at the Council of Trent. Among other things, he released a new catechism. With his book on the design of church buildings, “Instructiones Fabriacae et Supellectilis Ecclesiasticae”, he left a mark on Baroque church construction. At the outbreak of the plague in his diocese in 1576, he devoted himself to the care of those affected. Hence, people sometimes pray to him when they have been hit by a serious illness. 19th C, Saint, Neo-Gothic Stained-Glass Window with St. Roch, Belgium, 163 x 73 cm Saint Roch (Montpellier, 1295? /1350? -1327? /1380?) was born with a port-wine stain in the shape of a cross on his left hip. It was interpreted as a sign from God. After the dead of his parents, he gave his money to the poor and went on to live the life of pilgrim. He cared for plague sufferers and healed some of them by making a sign of the cross. He is especially invoked as protector against the plague. 19th C, Neo-Gothic Stained-Glass Window with St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Belgium, 163 x 73 cm Bernard of Clairvaux (Fontaines, 1090-Clairvaux, 1153) decided to become a monk at the age of 21. In 1112 he entered in the monastery of Cîtaux. He was soon commissioned by the abbot to find a new monastery in Clairvaux. Because of his intellectual capacities and eloquence, he was consulted by various ecclesiastical and secular leaders. He ensured the expansion of the Cistercian order throughout Europe. As a Doctor of the Church, he wrote many tracts and sermons and established a new rule for the Templars. Above all, he was concerned with the discipline of the clergy. Therefore, he wrote a spiritual manual for the priests and bishops. Saint Bernard can be seen as a true mystic. He envisioned the union of the human soul with God as the most important goal in life. According to a legend, Bernard once had a vision in which the Blessed Virgin appeared to him and strengthened him with her mother’s milk. In the arts, the saint is mainly depicted with an abbot’s staff and a book with the Cistercian rule. His vision was also often portrayed. 19th C, Neo-Gothic Stained-Glass Window with St. John Berchmans, Belgium, 163 x 73 cm The Belgian Jan Berchmans (Diest, 1599-Rome, 1621) was the eldest of five children. When his mother became seriously ill, he initially took care of her, but at the age of nine he was housed with the town’s priest. After a few years he moved to Mechelen to become the servant of a canon. It also gave him the opportunity to begin his studies in the seminary for priests. He eventually joined the Jesuits of Mechelen. He got their permission to study philosophy in Rome. In the Eternal City, he visited working-class neighbourhoods to teach the children about God. He died of an illness at the age of 22. Saint Jan Berchmans is the patron saint of school children and students. 19th C, Neo-Gothic Stained-Glass Window with Saint Clare...

Belgian Post modern dining chairs with chromed tubular frames and black faux leather upholstery. Beautiful, sleek, timeless design. Very good condition Dimensions: Height: 75cm W...

Set of Traditional Belgium Vintage ceramic Vase and its bowl. Made in Belgium circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful...

A beautiful original design of De Coene bar furniture from the 1960s, the combination of dark massive wood and white marble makes the furniture extra excl...

Sculpture La Ferrari with all structure in assembled aluminium pieces (4mm thickness), all painted with original Ferrari rosso corsa paint. Limited Editio...

Asami Dining Table by Kasanai Dimensions: D 91 x W 200 x H 76 cm. Materials: Lime plaster. Also available in different dimensions and colors. Please contact us. Natural Mortex minerals, clean lines and minimal detail: Asami epitomises Japanese design. This beautiful table has plenty of room to seat 8 people, so get your dinner party invitations...

Lounge Chair from the 1940s, probably of Belgian origin. Note the low seat.

The clock is functional, after the clockmaster review Year: The end of the 19th century Origin: Western Europe Dimensions: Height 133 cm / width 42 cm / depth 17 cm.

This beautiful pair of wall-mounted consoles is crafted from solid oak and finished with a rich, dark stain. The consoles feature carved pedestals surmounted by flat, canted corner s...

Stunning and rare Art Nouveau wall coat rack. Striking Belgium design from the 1900s. Solid oak with four original ceramic tiles. In very good condition with a beautiful patina.

These table lamps are made in papier mâché, a very elegant model, perfect as bed lamps, but can be used everywhere in the house.

This One-of-a-kind Arts and Crafts Style Light was made of hand-hammered copper and forged iron. The art/slag glass has been replaced. It has been wired in the US. The light would...

Very nice elegant Wall Mirror . Gold Frame in a Jugendstil style . 1970s Belgium . Good quality Mirror

Petite and graceful, this set of two Louis XV nightstands crafted in the late-19th century pairs stunning marble tops over mahogany, bombe shaped base...

A stylish octagonal wall mirror with side mirror glasses, also called a "Miroir à Parclose ". The frame is made of gilt resin. The side mirrors a little bit another angle for reflect...

Rare high back chair designed by Alfred Hendrickx for Belform. The chair is documented in the catalogue as S7 H. They where produced as well with a lower back S7 L. The chair is conf...

This extraordinary fireplace mantel in white statuary marble with opulent carved roses is incredible. It is eye catching and one of a kind. It could work very well in a Rococo interi...

A 19th century Belgium bluestone planter.

Brass bird sculpture. Measures: Width 42 cm. Height 20 cm. Depth 18 cm. Weight 2 kg.

This is a gorgeous antique 17th century Flemish Verdure Tapestry depicting the noble children playing in the woods. The p...

This striking coffee table, designed by Axel Vervoordt in the 1980s, exemplifies his mastery of understated elegance and natural materials. The broad, flat top is crafted from bamboo...

All handcrafted and rare, brass firewood bucket with an important saying. For the collectors of quality hand-crafted and useful antiques with a ...

A petite starburst sunburst convex mirror. Made of gilded resin and wood. It measures approximate 10.25" in diameter, mirror itself is approximate 2.5" in diameter. It stands approxi...

Jean Claude Dresse, coffee table, agate, brass, lacquered steel, Belgium, 1970s A glamorous custom-made cocktail table, crafted with high attention for detail which is characteristi...

Belgium / 1920 / fireplace / oak / romantic / antique A beautifully hand carved fireplace in solid oak made in Belgium around 1920. This spectacularly detailed antique fire surround...

A Belgian 1930´s Art Deco butcher's block. Made of solid beech wood. Since the Middle Ages, the butcher's profession has been one of the most ...

A gorgeous starburst sunburst or sun mirror. Made of gilded Resin. No chips, no cracks, no repairs. It measures approximate: 14.5" in diameter, mirror itself is approximate 9.13" in ...

Mid-century modern square coffee table designed by George Mathias for Lova Creation of Belgium crafted from acid-etched brass, inset with agate stone. 42 inches square and 12 1/2 in...

Belgium / 16th century / wooden sculpted panel / oak / Gothic / Rustic / Antique A panel in oak wood enriched with Gothic graphic carvings. Hand carved in Belgium in the 16th centur...