Small chest made of wood from Jan van Speijk’s gunboat c. 1831 - 1832

This small chest was made by J. H. Cuperus from the wood of Jan van Speijk’s gunboat. The choice of material here is key. Wood from a warship is no ordinary material. The gunboat is a reference to a specific moment in Dutch history. Van Speijk was a naval hero who blew up his own ship in 1831 rather than surrender it to Belgian insurgents. This act of martyrdom made him a national symbol, and that symbolism is infused in the wood itself. Cuperus carefully fashioned the reclaimed timber into a memento. The chest's simple construction highlights the wood’s grain and patina, bearing witness to its former life at sea. The careful craftsmanship elevates the object beyond mere souvenir, transforming it into a potent emblem of Dutch identity. It is a reminder that even the most unassuming objects can carry significant cultural weight.