‘Jacobakan’

This earthenware jug with silver elements has an exceptional history and is already mentioned in literature in 1732. The earthenware jug is dated around 1400. Similar objects were made in bulk in Siegburg, where an important factory was located. The jugs were then shipped to Holland, among other countries. The present jug was found in Velzen, near the castle.

The silver lid and foot were added at a later stage, probably around 1665. The lid contains scenes from the life of Gerard van Velzen (d. 1296). Van Velzen was lord of Beverwijk, Noordwijk, and Velzen, where the jug was found. In 1296 Van Velzen made plans to kill Count Floris V, although stories exist which state that Floris V had raped Van Velzen’s wife and the murder was an act of revenge. It is more likely that the murder was for political reasons. The scene of the murder is engraved on the top of the lid.

The bottom of the lid shows the terrible punishment Van Velzen received for the murder: he was rolled around in a barrel with nails, until he died. On the hinge of the lid a miniature barrel is placed, once more referring to the punishment.

The silver foot of the jug is engraved with the text: “Gegraven ben ick op uijt de Versoncken Gracht van t slot der Velzer heer in de beste van t geslacht doode slants tyran wilde hollant vrijheit geven moest in een ton gerolt op spijckers laten t leven.”

In the print collection of the Rijksmuseum two prints reside that bear many similarities to the engravings on the lid of the jug. It is possible that these prints were used as an example for the engravings.

Jugs like this are often referred to as “Jacobakannen”, which relates to an anecdote about the countess Jacoba van Beieren (b. 1401; d. 1436). In the 17th century many of these jugs were found near the castle where she had lived. Historicists assumed that Jacoba had spent her years in the castle practicing pottery. However, the theory doesn’t hold up: the jugs are dated between 1375 and 1425, which is before Jacoba lived in the castle.

Literatuur

Alkemade, K. van, en P. van der Schelling. Nederlands Displegtigheden. Deel 2. Rotterdam, 1732.

Dam, J.D. van. “Das keramische Thema, in belgischen und niederländischen Sammlungen im XIX. Jahrhundert.” Keramos 156 (1997): 39-130.