The house on Keizersgracht 268 owes its name to the golden chain on the facade. Not just any old chain, either. Various stories do the rounds on the chain's origins.
MAID
One story has it that the owner of the canal house could not find her gold chain one ill-fated day. She accused her maid of stealing it. When the chain was found it was hung on the gable as proof of the maid's innocence.
BURGLAR
According to another story the maid was home alone one night. She killed a burglar, disguised as an old woman, who forced his way into the house. Alas, his five o'clock shadow gave him away! Her boss gave the maid a gold chain as a token of his appreciation. When the maid was not satisfied with this, she was chased away. The owner of the house hung the chain above the door to publicly vent his indignation about his maid's ingratitude.
ROBBERS
This third story is most likely the correct one. In 1620 the owner of the house, Eliseus Harrel, had a shipment of worsted transported from Aachen to Amsterdam. Robbers held up the transport en route. Only one bale reached Amsterdam. As a reminder, the owner had the chain which held the bale together gilded. He hung it on his gable as an adornment. In 1991 the house collapsed while being renovated, but has since been rebuilt. The gold chain is back in place as if nothing has happened. |
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