The cup [1753-1754] 

The cup has a well documented history as the couple Lord Johan van Borssele [1707-1764] and Elisabeth Koninck [1733-1794] married in 1750 after a period of dating, which has been fully described in the extensive correspondence between Johan and Prince Willem IV or Mr Jacob van Citters  .

Elisabeth Koninck had grown up in the house of her uncle Willem van Citters and her aunt Maria Kien van Citters, because both her parents had died.

Despite the difference of 26 years in age, she agreed to marry Johan van Borssele, since 1747 the first “representative” in Zeeland and therewith the most powerful man.

According to the Rijksmuseum catalogue in Amsterdam, the cup might have been given to the couple by either Wilhem van Citters or Johan van Borssele. For this reason both the armoury of both Van Citters/ Kien and Van Borssele/ Koninck is displayed on the cup.

Considering the duty stamp of 1795 of Middelburg it is more likely that Johan van Borssele gave the cup to van Citters as a sign of appreciation for the support to marry his cousine. Soon after 1764 the death of Johan van Borssele, Elisabeth had left Zeeland to never return again. In the period 1753-1754 no van Citters stayed in the Hague another sign that the cup was ordered by Van Borssele rather then Van Citters.

The golden cup was made by Louise Metayer and Philippe Metayer who stayed in The Hague between 1750 and 1752. A similar cup is on display in the Rijksmuseum of Amsterdam.

 

Terug naar Van Citters-voorwerpen