Beeldvorming in geleentheidsgedigte op gedenkkeramiek oor die Nederlandse koningshuis

Abstract

In various countries across the globe, both events and individuals are commemorated by means of a variety of commemorative articles. In the Netherlands, various ceramic articles have been specially crafted since 1574 to commemorate the royal House of Orange. Some of these commemorative items also contain text. Twelve poems have thus far been uncovered on various items dating between 1674 and 1943. These were studied in order to determine what image of the House of Orange and the Netherlands they convey. Three assumptions were formulated: firstly, that the texts would reveal a positive attitude towards the House of Orange; secondly, that they would reflect key historical events accurately; and thirdly, that they would convey a Protestant Christian religious conviction. These assumptions all proved to be true.

In verskeie lande regoor die wêreld word gebeurtenisse en individue by wyse van verskillende soorte memorabilia gedenk. In Nederland is daar al in 1574 begin om die koningshuis, die Huis van Oranje, met spesiaal vervaardigde keramiekvoorwerpe te gedenk. Sommige van hierdie gedenkvoorwerpe bevat ook teks. Twaalf gedigte is tot dusver gevind op verskillende items wat van 1674 tot 1943 dateer. Hulle is ontleed om vas te stel watter beeld van die Huis van Oranje en Nederland hulle oordra. Drie aannames is geformuleer: die eerste is dat die tekste ’n positiewe ingesteldheid jeens die Huis van Oranje sou openbaar; die tweede is dat hulle belangrike historiese gebeurtenisse akkuraat sou oordra; en die derde is dat hulle ’n Protestants-Christelike geloofsoortuiging sou weerspieël. Al drie hierdie aannames het waar geblyk te wees.