Employment contract 1713- Delft

Page 2 of contract

The direct incentive for drafting this agreement was the fact that two of the servants of the pottery bakers had recently left the factory, namely Jan Fransz Schoonjan and Lodewijck vander Horst, as they found employment in another shop.

The remaining 4 employees (Daniel Colier, Eduard de Kooningh, Jan Geleijnsz Bacchus and Adriaen Rijsselbergh, all pottery painters) agree to stay with the factory for as long as the pottery would be employed by Johanna van der Heul, widow of master pottery baker Pieter Kocks and not to work in any other pottery bakery or store. More explicitly they will keep painting and baking goldpaint on Delft porcelain.

From her part, Johanna van der Heul promises to prefer the 4 employees signing this document and even the 2 employees that just had left the company above all other employees in case business would be getting worse (and although not explicitly mentioned in this document, she would have to fire personell).

In the final sentences it is mentioned that Johanna van der Heul is entitled to take legal action against any of the 4 employees signing this agreement who would breach this agreement.

Rene

Wonderful- thank you so much as always :-)

What fascinating information to learn about the terms of employment of these Delft pottery painters, and Johanna van der Heul as owner of the company. 

warmest best wishes.

Anne