After researching all the available objects from the collection of the Koninklijk Zeeuws Genootschap der Wetenschappen on trade routes and origin. I decided to go further with the 'Jakoba Jar' (Jakoba Kan) for a number of reasons I will demonstrate in my research below.
KZGW Online - Verzamelingen Zeeuwsch Genootschap online 835-4: Jacobakan
Week 1. Initial collective mapping
Week 2. Individual object mapping.
Week 2. Individual object mapping.
In order to organise all the data acquired during the first phases of the research, we traced it with Chinese ink. During this process, the main elements stand out and new patterns are made.
Picture of the Jakoba Kan from the Koninklijk Zeeuws Genootschap der Wetenschappen.
Week 1. Initial collective mapping
Week 2. Individual object mapping.
Week 2. Individual object mapping.
Further research on the Jakoba Jar.
Further research on the Jakoba Jar.
Deventer Burgerscap | Deventer Burgerscap
During my research on the Jakoba Jar, I found a group with a passion for the late medieval times. More specifically, they reenact Dutch medieval lifestyle. They also have a fascination for the Jakoba kan which they make replicas of.
The Jakoba Jar were originally made in Siegburg (Germany) around the 14th and 15th Century. Considering this was Medieval times, these jars were mass-produced and extremely popular even in the Netherlands. Today, they are regularly found in various archeological sites.
According to Christoph Kühne, a PdD student at Göttingen University, Siegburg Stoneware trade was rarely documented; however, it "is one of the most well known indicators of late medieval urban material culture" (Kühne C., April 2014)
Information on Jacoba jars is quite limited as it is a very 'niche' interest. Most sources come from auction-houses that sell medieval stoneware.
The Jakoba jar is considered to be 'stoneware'. Generally, it was used to drink beer or cider. This type of stoneware was made out of impermeable clay found in the region of Siegburg. This is one of the reasons of for its popularity in Zeeland as the clay there wasn't suitable for liquids. The clay is heated up to 1200 degrees turning it into stone. An important feature typical for these jars is that they were not glazed. The reddish blush on my Jakoba jar specifically is due to salt ash in the oven.
Fired high!! | Siegburg stoneware
https://goo.gl/maps/5jZovvF6nVb8ud558
This video is part of a documentary on medieval pottery. Psalter shows how he replicates medieval jugs and pots.
In this video, you can see how stoneware jars are made.
In this video, you can see how stoneware jars are made.
Retrieved from Wikipedia.
An average Jakoba jar is 20 to 30 cm high and 10cm wide, which is a lot smaller than expected. The hand-pinched foot of the jar is a typical trait. This aspect of the jar reminds me of waves in relation to its history.
"Pompeï of the Netherlands" (Retrieved from IsGeschiedenis, 29.09.2017)
The Jakoba Jar was found in ruined city of Reimerswaal (see Google maps). Reimerswaal used to be the commercial centre for trade in Zeeland because of its favourable location. However, inhabitants dug around the city for salt-winning; this made the land unstable and susceptible to floods. In the 16th Century, the previously prosperous city of Reimerswaal got hit by numerous floods, signifying its downfall. Especially, the infamous "Quade Saterdach" on the 5th of November 1530. The main 'Saint Felix flood' and more regular flooding from the Schelde led to people leaving the city as it became an island. Until finally, the entire city was swallowed by the waves. (Redactie Historiek, 23.09.2017)
Reimerswaal, een verdronken stad
This website gives a short summary of Reimerswaal's tragic history.
https://goo.gl/maps/376HAm7psBwUTThBA
De verdronken stad Reimerswaal: het Pompeï van Nederland
Reimerswaal by Jakob van Deventer (1560)
The Jakoba Jar was found under water level in Reimerswaal (today near Yerseke). In 2017, the ruins of the city were officially considered an archeological national heritage site. This means that treasure digging is forbidden; although, this was a popular site to find artefacts. This interview follows one of these Dutch diggers to Reimerswaal.
"zijnde van keel (=rood), beladen met een Jacoba’s kruikje van zilver, gekroond, geketend en gesierd van goud. Het schild gedekt met een kroon, mede van goud". (Hoge Raad van Adel, 31.07.1817) "made of throat (= red), loaded with a Jacoba's jug of silver, crowned, chained and decorated with gold. The shield covered with a crown, also made of gold" Retrieved from
The Jakoba Jar can be found on the coat of arms of Vlissingen.
The name 'Jakobakannetje' comes from a legend related to Jakoba Von Beieren. The iconic Jacoba von Beieren, also called Jacqueline countess of Hainaut or Jacqueline de Bavière, was the "Duchess of Bavaria-Straubing, Countess of Holland and Zeeland and Countess of Hainaut from 1417 to 1433" (Wikipedia, 06.10.2019). Her life story is quite tragic. In total, she got married 4 times and all of the marriages failed. As a child, she was supposed to marry the dauphin of France but he died before she could become queen of France. Then her father died in 1417 and she inherited his titles which attracted more suitors. She was only 16 at the time with a lot of power, so in the spirit of the times, she married her cousin, Jan van Brabant (see Image 1). However, the situation after the death of her father was bad and left her with almost no power. The pope had never approved her second union so she then left to England to marry Humphrey, the duke of Gloucester. Later on, Jan van Brabant got poisoned and Holland still did not recognise her or her new English husband. Fillips de Goede (Image 2) then threatened to invade Mons if she wasn't brought to him. After a series of events involving the pope's decision on legitimacy, she was left completely broke and was forced to give up her titles and land to Fillips de Goede, count of Bourgondië. Her last marriage was to Frank van Borssele de gelukkige who was very rich. One rumour states that they wedded secretly when she was still engaged. And that this is the reason she had to give her land up. Finally, she died at the age of 35 of tuberculosis.