"A curiously carved chest, or seat, representing "The English Bank of Exchange" (Wisselbank) is suspended like a pair of scales by chains from the horn of a unicorn whose head emerges from clouds. It tilts down on the right, where a stout Englishman, "an English lord", sits precariously, exclaiming in alarm as a Frenchman (right), standing on the ground beneath, pulls him by the leg. The Frenchman's right hand is on the hilt of his sword. The balance is further depressed by America, a naked child crowned with feathers, who is seated on the "Bank" beside the Englishman and holding his arm, admonishing him with an upraised finger. A Spaniard holding a crutch crouches on the ground beside the Frenchman. A "Dutch skipper" (left) holds one leg of the "Bank" to prevent its being dragged down by France. He turns to speak to a "merchant of Amsterdam" seated on a chest and writing in a ledger. Round the chest are "sacks of gold", bales of goods, cheeses (one stamped with crossed keys), and rolls of textiles. In the background (centre) is a Dutch landscape; a group of six windmills flying a flag with three stripes, and four cows, two of which are being milked. Beneath the design, verses are engraved in two columns, English (left) and Dutch (right)."--British Museum catalogue
Alternative Title:
Europe in her present disordered state
Description:
Titles from British Museum catalogue., Publication date from British Museum catalogue., Verses beneath image in English and Dutch: "Bold Jack! pray, what's the business to-day? ..." and "Hoezee! tienduizendmaal! van dikhuot zaagt men deelen...", and Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
"A curiously carved chest, or seat, representing "The English Bank of Exchange" (Wisselbank) is suspended like a pair of scales by chains from the horn of a unicorn whose head emerges from clouds. It tilts down on the right, where a stout Englishman, "an English lord", sits precariously, exclaiming in alarm as a Frenchman (right), standing on the ground beneath, pulls him by the leg. The Frenchman's right hand is on the hilt of his sword. The balance is further depressed by America, a naked child crowned with feathers, who is seated on the "Bank" beside the Englishman and holding his arm, admonishing him with an upraised finger. A Spaniard holding a crutch crouches on the ground beside the Frenchman. A "Dutch skipper" (left) holds one leg of the "Bank" to prevent its being dragged down by France. He turns to speak to a "merchant of Amsterdam" seated on a chest and writing in a ledger. Round the chest are "sacks of gold", bales of goods, cheeses (one stamped with crossed keys), and rolls of textiles. In the background (centre) is a Dutch landscape; a group of six windmills flying a flag with three stripes, and four cows, two of which are being milked. Beneath the design, verses are engraved in two columns, English (left) and Dutch (right)."--British Museum catalogue
Alternative Title:
Europe in her present disordered state
Description:
Titles from British Museum catalogue., Publication date from British Museum catalogue., Trimmed within plate line; damage with loss of design in lower right corner., and Verses beneath image in English and Dutch: "Bold Jack! pray, what's the business to-day? ..." and "Hoezee! tienduizendmaal! van dikhuot zaagt men deelen ..."
