One particularly interesting observation you made was that the noontime meal used to be the important one. I believe this is still the case in Germany (Marty, am I right?), and a light dinner is preferred. Another observation (personal, like Mark interjected): I was brought up in the city with ex-rural parents and what we all call lunch now was referred to as dinner. Our present-day dinner my family called supper. This caused me great confusion when I went to college and mealtimes were turned upside down.

Interesting how the agricultural at-home to urban job away-from-home transition could affect the elevation of the evening meal. Healthwise, I believe this is proven to encourage obesity; much healthier to eat the heavy meal mid-day.

OK, and now to the china cabinet. I was surprised that such a plain piece like the one in Krimmel’s painting would have glass windows; I found this an anomaly. I would have guessed the piece would be what country folk might have called a cupboard, but the glass belies that. You’re right, I think it would ordinarily have been in the kitchen, especially since it was not ornate. Maybe Krimmel went against the grain and added glass ONLY so he could cram even more displayed material goods into the painting.
AND moved it out of the kitchen just so we could see it in the painting.

Hmmm….I just consulted my Bulfinch Illustrated Encyclopedia of Antiques. There is no category in the index for the term “china cabinet.” Under “cabinet,” it says “cupboard with drawers and shelves for storing or displaying precious items, often highly decorated with inlay and ornamental features.” That leads me to further speculate that Krimmel purposely added the glass panes (especially since you emphasized how expensive they would be).

Lastly, Tad, I want to thank you for all your insightful comments (especially those on my blog).

Several P.S.’s. (1) Interesting about Boston’s purple pains. (2) It is considered chic and/or charming in decorating magazines today to have mismatched/eclectic dinnerware (what goes around comes around). (3) For those of you who read Tad’s blog and this comment, don’t forget to click on his links to see his photo album.