Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen owns two cabinets by Herman Doomer. Originally from Germany, Doomer started working as a cabinetmaker in Amsterdam in 1613. He was very inventive in his use of material: the drawers of the ‘Collectors Cabinet’ (1640-1650) are made of baleen or whalebone, which was pressed in a metal mould. Doomer developed a special technique that enabled him to incorporate this by-product of the flourishing whaling industry of the time as a decorative element in his furniture. He also used different types of tropical wood, which he decorated with images or fine marquetry of mother-of-pearl and ivory. Doomer was so much respected that he and his wife were both painted by Rembrandt.
Herman Doomer
Anrath circa 1595 - Amsterdam 1650
