What is a heraldic marriage plaque?

A heraldic marriage plaque is an armorial display created to commemorate the union of two families through marriage. It traditionally displays the combined coats of arms of both the bride and groom, known as an alliance crest, often flanked by supporters, crests, and family mottoes.

What materials were traditionally used to make 19th-century armorial plaques?

Plaques from this period were typically hand-carved from dense hardwoods like oak or lime. They were subsequently finished with polychrome paint, water gilding or oil gilding using leaf gold, and housed within moulded ebonised or stained wooden frames.

How do you identify authentic 19th-century heraldic relief carvings?

Authentic period pieces exhibit hand-tooling marks on the reverse, natural craquelure across painted sections, and shrinkage lines in the timber. Furthermore, correct historical heraldic rules, period-appropriate blazonry typography, and authentic oxidation on metal or gilt components help verify age.

How can a heraldic plaque be styled in a modern interior?

A relief plaque works effectively as a focal point mounted above a fireplace mantelpiece, credenza, or sideboard. It can be integrated into a traditional gallery wall or contrasted against contemporary, minimalist backdrops to emphasize its historical narrative and tactile finish.

How should a carved polychrome and gilt plaque be maintained?

Dust the item gently using a dry, soft goat-hair brush or microfibre cloth, avoiding liquid cleaners which can damage historical paint and gilding. Maintain a stable indoor environment free from extreme humidity fluctuations and direct sunlight to prevent timber movement and pigment fading.

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Rare 19th Century Dutch Heraldic Marriage Plaque – Van Rijckevorsel & Verheijen, 1852

Name: Rare 19th Century Dutch Heraldic Marriage Plaque – Van Rijckevorsel & Verheijen, 1852
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1230135
Price: 4500 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Antiques Decorative (Sussex)

Description

A rare and highly decorative **19th-century Dutch heraldic marriage plaque**, commemorating the union of **Elisabeth Maria Huberta van Rijckevorsel (1821–1861)** and **Jhr. Lodewijk Willem Joseph Marie Verheijen (1819–1868)**, who married at **’s-Hertogenbosch in 1852**.

Richly modelled in relief and polychromed, the plaque combines the heraldic arms of the **Van Rijckevorsel** and **Verheijen** families within an elaborate composition of shields, supporters, crest and crown.

Beneath the arms appears the Latin motto **“Provide et Constanter”**, meaning **“With foresight and constancy”** or **“prudently and steadfastly.”**

The Van Rijckevorsel family was a long-established Dutch patrician family with a documented history extending back to the early 16th century. Elisabeth’s father, **Bernardus Jacobus van Rijckevorsel**, was the younger brother of **Jacobus Josephus van Rijckevorsel (1785–1862)**, who was raised to the Dutch nobility in **1831** and later granted the title of **Baron by primogeniture in 1842**.

The wider family was connected through marriage with a number of prominent Dutch and Belgian noble and patrician houses, including the **de Gerlache**, **Van Wijnbergen tot Bussloo**, **Van Lamsweerde**, **Dommer van Poldersveldt**, **Van Aefferden** and **Van Hoevell tot Westerflier** families. Members of the wider family also held civic and provincial office and were associated with important country estates and historic houses, including **Landgoed De Denneboom** and **Kasteel Loon op Zand**. These properties are mentioned as part of the wider family history and are not presented as provenance for this particular plaque.

The Van Rijckevorsel arms were recorded in important 19th-century Dutch heraldic publications, including A.A. Vorsterman van Oijen’s *Stam- en Wapenboek van Aanzienlijke Nederlandsche Familiën*, published between 1885 and 1890.

Extensive genealogical and archival research has enabled the marriage represented by the plaque to be identified with a high degree of confidence, adding considerable historical interest to an already striking decorative object.

A fascinating piece of **Dutch heraldry, genealogy and 19th-century social history**, suitable for an important interior, collection of heraldic art, or collector of Dutch and European historical objects.

**Further genealogical and archival research is available with the plaque.**

**Worldwide shipping available.**

Careful professional packing and specialist antique or fine-art delivery can be arranged where appropriate. Please contact us with your location for a shipping quotation.

Physical Dimensions

Height

81cm (31.89")

Width

89cm (35.04")

Declaration

Antiques Decorative (Sussex) has dated this Dutch Heraldic Marriage Plaque to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1230135

Dealers Notes

Shipping Options Delivery Time Price

Furniture Shipping UK Delivery in 1-2 weeks £75

Paintings UK, £35

Paintings rest of world please contact for a quote

EU Furniture delivery Contact us for a quote delivery within 4 weeks

*International delivery buyers are responsible for import charges and local taxes*

**Worldwide delivery Contact us for a quote**

For payments don't hesitate to get in touch with us for Visa/credit/bank transfer.

Description

fig 1. A framed 19th-century Dutch heraldic marriage plaque depicting two carved gilt lion supporters holding alliance coats of arms under a helmet crest and motto banner. — fig 1. Rare 19th Century Dutch Heraldic Marriage Plaque – Van Rijckevorsel & Verheijen, 1852

Richly modelled in relief and polychromed, the plaque combines the heraldic arms of the **Van Rijckevorsel** and **Verheijen** families within an elaborate composition of shields, supporters, crest and crown.

“

Beneath the arms appears the Latin motto **“Provide et Constanter”**, meaning **“With foresight and constancy”** or **“prudently and steadfastly.

Antiques Decorative (Sussex)

”**

fig 2. A framed 19th-century Dutch heraldic marriage plaque depicting two carved gilt lion supporters holding alliance coats of arms under a helmet crest and motto banner. — fig 2. Rare 19th Century Dutch Heraldic Marriage Plaque – Van Rijckevorsel & Verheijen, 1852

The Van Rijckevorsel family was a long-established Dutch patrician family with a documented history extending back to the early 16th century. Elisabeth’s father, **Bernardus Jacobus van Rijckevorsel**, was the younger brother of **Jacobus Josephus van Rijckevorsel (1785–1862)**, who was raised to the Dutch nobility in **1831** and later granted the title of **Baron by primogeniture in 1842**.

fig 3. A framed 19th-century Dutch heraldic marriage plaque depicting two carved gilt lion supporters holding alliance coats of arms under a helmet crest and motto banner. — fig 3. Rare 19th Century Dutch Heraldic Marriage Plaque – Van Rijckevorsel & Verheijen, 1852

The wider family was connected through marriage with a number of prominent Dutch and Belgian noble and patrician houses, including the **de Gerlache**, **Van Wijnbergen tot Bussloo**, **Van Lamsweerde**, **Dommer van Poldersveldt**, **Van Aefferden** and **Van Hoevell tot Westerflier** families. Members of the wider family also held civic and provincial office and were associated with important country estates and historic houses, including **Landgoed De Denneboom** and **Kasteel Loon op Zand**. These properties are mentioned as part of the wider family history and are not presented as provenance for this particular plaque.

fig 4. A framed 19th-century Dutch heraldic marriage plaque depicting two carved gilt lion supporters holding alliance coats of arms under a helmet crest and motto banner. — fig 4. Rare 19th Century Dutch Heraldic Marriage Plaque – Van Rijckevorsel & Verheijen, 1852

The Van Rijckevorsel arms were recorded in important 19th-century Dutch heraldic publications, including A.A. Vorsterman van Oijen’s *Stam- en Wapenboek van Aanzienlijke Nederlandsche Familiën*, published between 1885 and 1890.

fig 5. A framed 19th-century Dutch heraldic marriage plaque depicting two carved gilt lion supporters holding alliance coats of arms under a helmet crest and motto banner. — fig 5. Rare 19th Century Dutch Heraldic Marriage Plaque – Van Rijckevorsel & Verheijen, 1852

Extensive genealogical and archival research has enabled the marriage represented by the plaque to be identified with a high degree of confidence, adding considerable historical interest to an already striking decorative object.

fig 6. A framed 19th-century Dutch heraldic marriage plaque depicting two carved gilt lion supporters holding alliance coats of arms under a helmet crest and motto banner. — fig 6. Rare 19th Century Dutch Heraldic Marriage Plaque – Van Rijckevorsel & Verheijen, 1852

A fascinating piece of **Dutch heraldry, genealogy and 19th-century social history**, suitable for an important interior, collection of heraldic art, or collector of Dutch and European historical objects.

fig 7. A framed 19th-century Dutch heraldic marriage plaque depicting two carved gilt lion supporters holding alliance coats of arms under a helmet crest and motto banner. — fig 7. Rare 19th Century Dutch Heraldic Marriage Plaque – Van Rijckevorsel & Verheijen, 1852

Further genealogical and archival research is available with the plaque.**

Worldwide shipping available.**

Careful professional packing and specialist antique or fine-art delivery can be arranged where appropriate. Please contact us with your location for a shipping quotation.

Physical Dimensions

Height

81cm (31.89")

Width

89cm (35.04")

Date of Manufacture

Antiques Decorative (Sussex) has dated this Dutch Heraldic Marriage Plaque to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1230135

About the Dealer

Antiques Decorative (Sussex)