Jan Carel Josephus van Speyk – 1802–1831
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On 5 February 1831, a gunboat under van Speyk's command was blown by a gale into the quay at the port of Antwerp. Rather than surrender the ship to the Belgians, he blew it up. More colourful accounts say that he threw his cigar into a barrel of gunpowder. At any rate, he killed himself, nearly of of his crew and likely many Beligians who had boarded the ship. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Military Order of William.
Right, portrait of Jan Carel Josephus Speijk with the names of the printmaker J.B. Clermans, and printer Desguerrois & Co, Amsterdam, underneath, published by Anthonius Johannes van Tetroode in 1831.
I am hugely grateful to Wytze Stellingwerf for his contributions to this page. Some of the images are included in his article, '"I'd Rather Be Blown Up' Tableware and pipes commemorating Captain Jan van Speyk, 1831–1839" (Vormen uit Vuur 252, June 2023/2).
Right, portrait of Jan Carel Josephus Speijk with the names of the printmaker J.B. Clermans, and printer Desguerrois & Co, Amsterdam, underneath, published by Anthonius Johannes van Tetroode in 1831.
I am hugely grateful to Wytze Stellingwerf for his contributions to this page. Some of the images are included in his article, '"I'd Rather Be Blown Up' Tableware and pipes commemorating Captain Jan van Speyk, 1831–1839" (Vormen uit Vuur 252, June 2023/2).
Dawson, Low Ford Pottery, Sunderland
The caption, in Dutch, reads 'Geboren 31 January 1802 den Heldendood gestorven 5 February 1831.' Impressed Dawson mark to the rear.
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The items, right and below, tracked down by Wytze, show the wide variety of wares that Dawson produced for export with the subject. These items very rarely appear in the UK.
The transfer pairs with another of van Speyk's gunboat exploding in the port of Antwerp. The source is perhaps a painting by Martinus Schouman, 1832, in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. The transfers are printed in black, red and blue. This is the first blue transfer I've seen from a Sunderland pottery (I have recorded several Tyneside objects printed in blue). |
Photo C. Koopstra
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Dixon, Austin & Co, Sunderland Pottery, North Hylton
The caption, in Dutch, again reads 'Geboren 31 January 1802 den Heldendood gestorven 5 February 1831.' The left plate above has the impressed mark, Dixon, Austin & Co. The detail (shown right above) is from the plate below with a different impressed mark. Both plates share the same transfer from the Sunderland Pottery.
Thanks to Norman Lowe for photos of two great pot sherds found at the North Hylton site of the Sunderland Pottery. The first sherd (below centre) has the features of van Speyk's face, and the second has impressed marks to the back (below right). Both of which are a perfect match for the plate below, also in Norman's collection and shown besides the sherds for comparison. So a hitherto unrecorded attribution for an impressed mark from the North Hylton site.
Thanks to Norman Lowe for photos of two great pot sherds found at the North Hylton site of the Sunderland Pottery. The first sherd (below centre) has the features of van Speyk's face, and the second has impressed marks to the back (below right). Both of which are a perfect match for the plate below, also in Norman's collection and shown besides the sherds for comparison. So a hitherto unrecorded attribution for an impressed mark from the North Hylton site.
The Sunderland Pottery also produced items with a transfer titled 'Z. E. DE BARON CHASSÉ'. General Chassé was commander of the Citadel of Antwerp, and van Speyk's senior officer. The plate below, from Wytze's collection has a 'Dixon, Austin & Co' impressed mark.
Unknown Sunderland or Tyne pottery
The caption, again in Dutch, reads 'J C J VAN SPEYK. LUITT. TER ZEE. RIDDER DER MILITO. WILLEMSORDE.' The Military Order of William is the oldest and highest honour in the Netherlands. The plate was almost certainly made for export by one of the North East potteries. Dixon, Austin & Co are known to have made plates with this feathered blue border.
Below, an example printed in magenta/purple, with two others showing William I, King of the Netherlands (centre), and 'Z K H DE PRINS VAN ORANGE', the Crown Prince, William II (right).
Below, an example printed in magenta/purple, with two others showing William I, King of the Netherlands (centre), and 'Z K H DE PRINS VAN ORANGE', the Crown Prince, William II (right).
Moore & Co, Wear Pottery, Sunderland
The plate above has an early Moore & Co impressed mark, used in the 1830s. The bowl below has a later Moore & Co impressed mark to the base, and a printed mark, MOORE & Co SOUTHWICK' under the bridge transfer. This bowl was likely made c!840, so sometime after the event. The transfer, which is incredibly rare, has no title, and is coupled with English verses, so perhaps by this time, was being used generically as a handsome naval officer.
A Scott & Sons, Southwick Pottery, Sunderland
A tea bowl and saucer, both with an image of van Speyk inside. The saucer has an impressed mark. You can read more about the crests around the transfers here.
William Smith & Co, Stafford Pottery, Stockton
Both plates below have the W S & Co, above the spurious 'WEDGWOOD' mark. Interestingly, Wedgwood is spelt correctly on these plates. More usually, the Stafford Pottery mark has an additional 'E', and is spelt 'WEDGEWOOD'. Josiah Wedgwood obtained an injunction against William Smith in November 1848 to prevent him from further using his name name (see a copy of the injunction here).
Below a tea bowl and saucer from the Museum Rotterdam collection, with an impressed mark for William Smith and Co. It is similar to the Scott version above.
Photo Wytze Stellingwerf