Name/TitleSilver medal to commemorate the centenary of the VOC
About this objectThe VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) was established in 1602, when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia. Perhaps the world’s first multinational company, the VOC held quasi-governmental powers, including the ability to wage war, imprison and execute convicts, negotiate treaties, coin money, and establish colonies.
Under a rigidly enforced monopoly, between 1602 and 1796 the VOC dominated European trade with Asia and enjoyed huge profits from its spice monopoly. In 1619 the VOC established a capital in the port city of Batavia (Jakarta) and in 1606 despatched the first Europeans to visit Australia when the Duyfken, captained by Willem Janszoon, landed on the Australian mainland near present day Weipa.
Crowned female figure in classical attire, representing the Company, sits on a throne inscribed with a C, holding a sword with a laurel wreath in her right hand. The Company Charter on the left, her right foot resting on a tortoise with a cornucopia and a view of the sea behind, to the right another cornucopia and a parrot, above the arms of the United Netherlands; Rev; a Greek galleon passes the Pillars of Hercules, making for the East, represented by a rising sun. Six soldiers hold the coats of arms of the six Chambers of the VOC, the pennon bearing the monogram V.O.C., a shield with clasped hands symbolises the collaboration of the Chambers.
MakerRobert Arondeaux - Medallist
Maker RoleMedallist
Date Made1702
Period18th century
Place MadeAmsterdam, Netherlands
Medium and MaterialsSilver.
Measurements65mm diameter
Object TypeMedallions and Convict Tokens
Object numberSF000863
Copyright Licence
Attribution - Non-commercial - No Derivatives (cc)
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The mug is decorated with an underglaze and a blue transfer print. On the body, it is titled ‘Emigrants to Australia’. This type of body and glaze was discontinued by 1840. Comparison of the handle shape and the profile of the foot, point to the attribution of manufacture by the Davenport Factory.
Delta was a ship-rigged vessel with two decks and three masts. It was built in Dordrecht, Netherlands in 1839 at the shipyard of Jan Schouten and registered in the same port. Its hull was constructed of oak and sheathed in ‘yellow metal’. Delta was owned by H. van der Sande at the time of its loss and was engaged as a cargo trader.
The Delta carried 29 crew and passengers, while sailing from Melbourne to Batavia in ballast when wrecked at Kenn Reefs on 30 May 1854 whilst under the command of Captain J.G. Kunst. This vessel loss supports the pattern of shipwrecks located on a well-travelled shipping route that was poorly charted until the mid-nineteenth century. The crew of the Delta could see four other shipwrecks at Kenn Reefs at the time of their vessel’s loss.
Important image of a ship associated with Matthew Flinders, that would shortly become one of the most famous early shipwrecks in eastern Australian waters. This is a fine ship’s portrait, by one of the great exponents of the art