Notes

Accompanied by a postcard of the cup.

This cup was loaned to both the Stellenbosch Museum and the Swellendam Museum by Mr JLB Marais.

"In January 1805 three officers and 28 soldiers of the Hottentot Light Infantry Corps deserted with their arms. They were pursued, the officers killed and the soldiers captured by companies of the Burgher Cavalry of Stellenbosch and Swellendam. Governor Janssens recommended that the four cavalry captains each be presented with a silver cup. This covered cup by Johan Hendrik Vos (1749+) was presented to Captain Johannes Linden of Stellenbosch. The inscriptions read: 'De Gouverneur en Generaal en Chef J:W: Janssens, erkentlijk aan de Gewapende Burger Macht;' 'Stellenbossche Blaauwe Standaart' ; 'Beleid, Trouw en Kloekheid'; 'Ritmeester J: Linden'; 'Bat: Republiek'; 'den 7 Februarij 1805'; 'den 8 Februarij 1805'. Height 29cm (Stellenbosch Museum)"

Welz, S. (1976) Cape Silver and Silversmiths, A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, p.9

The inscription 'Beleid, Trouw en Kloekheid' translates as "having been Given in gratitude for Conduct, Loyalty and Bravery".

Provenance

Mr Jan Linde Beyers Marais, Eversdal Homestead, Durbanville and thence by descent.

"Ritmeester J. Linden was one of the four platoon commanders involved in the fight against the Pandour Deserters in February 1805. He only had daughters and one of them was married to a certain Beyers. The said Beyers also only had a daughter and one of them married a Marais. By means of the Marais, the trophy came into our family. It was passed on to the oldest in each next generation. Mr JLB Marais died in 2002 and the family has decided to sell the cup."

Literature

Welz, S. (1976) Cape Silver and Silversmiths, A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, illustrated on p.8