D2424. Large Blue and White Plaque

Marked with a six pointed star, attributed to Francina van der Eijck, owner of De Witte Ster (The White Star) factory, from 1716 to 1723

The self-molded frame features an oak leaf band in relief, at the center, within a medallion a tea-drinking group around a table is portraid, accompanied by two broad elaborate floral bands on each side, the top section displays a coat of arms with a walking pig, while the crest includes leaf-work, a helmet, and a standing pig, representing the Specx Family, beneath the central medallion, the coat of arms for the Van Eijck family showcases a tree on a ground with ducks and fish, the crest once again includes leaf-work, a helmet, and a standing tree.

DIMENSIONS
Height: 48 cm. (18.9 in.)
Width: 36.5 cm. (14.4 in.)

PROVENANCE
Beeling Collection, Leeuwarden;
Sold at Sotheby’s London, 1972;
Dutch Private Collection

EXHIBITED
‘Thema Thee’ in Museum Boymans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, 1978, no. 592;
Commemorative exhibition William and Mary, Sotheby’s Amsterdam, 1988

LITERATURE
Described and illustrated in Vormen uit Vuur, 1998/2, no. 164, pp. 22-29 and described in the catalogue of the “Thema Thee” exhibition in Museum Boymans van Beuningen, 1978, no. 592.

NOTE
In her will dated 1723, Francina van der Eijck designates her sister, Jannetge, and brother-in-law, Cornelis Specx, as her universal heirs, solidifying the familial bond between them. At the time of their marriage, Cornelis worked as a carpenter, but an official record from 1705 indicates a transition to the merchant profession. A decade later, another document identifies him as a shopkeeper, collaborating with Jacobus de Lange, Francina’s husband, to provide surety for Cornelis Brouwer, a fellow Delft pottery entrepreneur, during his acquisition of the De Porceleijne Schotel (The Porcelain Dish) factory.

By 1724, Cornelis had evolved into a tea- and porcelain merchant in Delft. After Jacobus de Lange’s demise in 1716, Francina took an active role in managing De Witte Ster. Cornelis Specx, displaying unwavering support, granted her a house and property in close proximity to him and her sister. Given the intimate family connections, frequent interactions, and the distinct mark of ‘De Witte Ster,’ it is plausible that this plaque was crafted during Francina’s directorship to express gratitude to Cornelis for his steadfast support. The most fitting occasion for presenting such a gift would have been the 25th wedding anniversary of Jannetge and Cornelis in 1718, reflecting a significant milestone in their enduring union.

SIMILAR EXAMPLE
The collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam holds a similar, larger oval plaque, with the coat of arms of Francina van Eijck in the central medallion: BK- 1963-44 (depicted in Lunsingh Scheurleer 1984, p. 221 and described and compared with this plaque in J. Ressing in Vormen uit Vuur, 1998/2, no. 164, pp. 22-29.