Grachtengordel in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
De Gevelsteen
⎯⎯⎯
The Gable Stone
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 29, 2026
1. De Gevelsteen / The Gable Stone Marker
Geschonken door de Stichting Vrienden van Stadsgoed
26 april 2007
De Dichter,
Ei zie! wat lief en zachte gelaat,
Dat ginter op dien gevel staat!
t Stelt ons gewis een maagd voor oogen,
Die eenzaam en verlaten treurt.
Haar minnaar werd haar wreed ontscheurd
Zij zag haar zoetste hoop bedrogen.
De Wis en Natuurkundige,
Welneen! - t geldt hier geen minverdriet
De meid heeft Kiespijne: zie je t niet?
Het is een uithang-steen, die toonde,
Dat hier een Kiezetrekker woonde.
Uit DE UITHANGTEEKENS, in verband met Geschiedenis en Volksleven beschouwd door Mr. van Lennep en J. ter Gouw.
(Amsterdam 1868)
The gable stone on this building is a replica. The original hung on this site in the 17th century.
Donated by the Stichting Vrienden van Stadsgoed (Friends of Stadsgoed Foundation).
26 April 2007
The history of that stone is unknown to us; we therefore confine ourselves to recounting a conversation we overheard between two passers-by regarding it one of whom was evidently a poet, and the other a mathematician and physicist.
The Poet:
See! What a sweet and gentle face
That stands upon that gable yonder!
It surely shows us a maiden
Who mourns, lonely and forsaken.
Her lover was cruelly torn from her;
She saw her fondest hope betrayed.
The Mathematician and Natural Philosopher:
Oh no! it is no lovers grief at play;
The maid has a toothache: dont you see?
It is a sign-stone, meant to show
That a tooth-puller lived here.
From De Uithangteekens, in verband met Geschiedenis en Volksleven beschouwd (Shop Signs, Considered in Relation to History and Folk Life) by Mr. van Lennep and J. ter Gouw.
(Amsterdam 1868)
Topics.
this page online
Location. 52° 21.755′ N, 4° 53.525′ E. Marker is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Grachtengordel. It is on Vijzelstraat north of Prinsengracht, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Vijzelstraat 129, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1017 HP, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ferdinand Bol (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Evert Van Dieren (about 150 meters away); Gemeente Amsterdam Stadsarchief / Amsterdam City Archives (about 210 meters away); Huis met de Kolommen / House with the Columns (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); John Adams (approx.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 29, 2026
2. De Gevelsteen / The Gable Stone Marker - wide view
Also see . . . Gable stone (Wikipedia). Overview:
Gable stones (Dutch: gevelstenen) are carved and often colourfully painted stone tablets, which are set into the walls of buildings, usually at about 4 metres from the ground. They serve both to identify and embellish the building(Submitted on July 15, 2026.)
The content of gable stones may explain something about the house's owner and are a feature of the urban fabric of Amsterdam. Some 2,500 of these stones can still be found in the Netherlands, of which around 850 are in Amsterdam and 250 in Maastricht, while others are also found in cities such as Brussels, Liθge, Lille, Oslo, Bergen, Munich, Copenhagen, Bucharest, Zόrich, Stockholm and Warsaw.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 29, 2026
3. De Gevelsteen / The Gable Stone and marker
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 29, 2026
4. De Gevelsteen / The Gable Stone (as depicted on the marker)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 29, 2026
5. De Gevelsteen / The Gable Stone
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 15, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
