Bellmaker

The term ‘ganzes Haus’ (literally the ‘whole house’, i.e., household-family) refers to a particular form of communal working and family life that was common in the early modern era. Parents, children and household servants all contributed to the work process and lived together under one roof. The ‘father of the house’ headed the household and was regarded as a full member of the feudal estates-based society. The ‘household-family’ thus reflected in microcosm the feudal, patriarchal system of power.