Captain Jan Paulusz van Gelder

Captain Jan Paulusz van Gelder, killed at the Battle of Texel [or Kijkduin], a Dutch cast bronze medal, 1673, by Christoffel Adolfszoon, Neptune atop a garnished shield of arms and inscribed tablet, legend in incuse around, VAN GELDER S ZEEVOOGDS …, rev., naval battle with ships engaging at close quarters, DE VADER WON DE SLAG …, 78.5mm (MI 560/224; vL III, 115; MH 593). Much as made, good very fine and extremely rare.

Jan van Gelder was Captain of the Steenbergen at the Battle of Texel, 21 August 1673, fought between the Dutch and the combined English and French fleets. It was the last major battle of the Third Anglo Dutch War. van Gelder was also the son-in-law of the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral de Ruyter and he had been present when the Dutch fleet sailed up the Thames to Chatham.

Provenance: Sotheby Auction, 3 May, 2001 (lot 785).