Schrans 22 has been restored

9 October 2017

The restoration project of the art nouveau tile tableau for De Schrans has been completed. Last Friday, the facade of Schrans 22 was officially unveiled by owner Thuy Huynh and Alderman Jan Atze Nicolai. After the fire in 2012, only the façade was still partly intact. Nothing remained of the monumental tile pictures, originally made by the Koninklijke van Hulst in Harlingen. After thorough archival research, the Harlinger Pottery and Tile Factory has succeeded in producing very lifelike replica tile pictures using authentic techniques. The tile panels are made of frost-resistant ceramic.

Argelo bicycle factory was built around 1903 on Schrans 22. Facade advertising was emerging around 1900. Argelo also wanted to show with tile pictures above the windows of his new factory which dynamic products he could deliver. The Tableau is made in Art Nouveau style. Art Nouveau is a late nineteenth century style characterized by geometric patterns, graceful arches, whiplash lines, intertwined floral motifs and graceful female figures. It was used in architecture and unique pieces, but also in mass products such as vases, jewelery, lamps and posters. Nowadays there is a bicycle shop in the building, which completes the circle.

We are proud of the result of the restoration. Leeuwarden has become a bit nicer again. The project can be viewed in more detail here on the project page.

See also the Leeuwarder Courant, click here.