Fifteen assorted metal buckles for shoes and belts

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THE DUTCH EAST INDIAMAN: LEYMUIDEN 1755-1770 The Dutch armed V.O.C. ship Leymuiden was launched in 1755 as the latest addition to the Dutch trading fleet. A typical example of her genre, she weighed 1150 tons and on her last, fateful voyage, was carrying gold ingots to purchase spices in the East. She foundered on the notorius Cabeca de Rifona - also known as the 'Hartwell Reef' due to a later wreck of that name the same site. The Leymuiden struck the outer reef of the island of Boa Vista in the evening of the 25th January 1770 where she stuck fast. In a desperate attempt to refloat her, all heavy objects such as cannons were ejected, but no avail: In a final bid to resolve the problem even the masts were cut. On Friday 26th the captain, officers and crew left the stranded vessel and sought a good landing on the island in the ship's boat. Leymuiden finally broke up on February 4th. Extraordnarily, accounts state that the officers made no attempt to salvage either the gold or the company papers left aboard and was less to the crew to pilfer a handful of gold ingots before abandoning the ship. There was some debate about the actual wrecking as it occured relatively slowly and in calm seas - the contemporary enquiry goes as far to state...it is incomprehensible that they did not see land or breakers before. It is also incomprehensible to loose the ship sailing such a course...Suggestions of strong currents or fog have never been backed by crew accounts, indeed third officer Pieter Verkoorn broadly stated the above known facts, adding that one sailor who had stuffed nine bars of gold into his pockets drowned when he missed his footing and slipped into the sea. He discovered a further sixteen bars with the crew who had made it to the island. Because of the contemporary accounts of gold, Leymuiden was a popular vessel for treasure hunters to find, a feat finally accomplished in 1994. Although very little of the actual vessel survives due to the rough conditions and the fact that she lay in only about 25m. of water. Very little gold - just one ingot - was recovered creating a further tantalising mystery. However what has survived is a diverse cross-section of artefacts which give us a glimpse of life aboard a typical VOC trader 200 years ago. Due to these lots being recovered from a shipwreck, many have sustained some damage. There is no mention of the physical condition of any lot in the printed catalogue description. All lots are sold in accordance with the Conditions of Business printed at the back of this catalogue. Bidders are advised to view any lots in which they are interested.

Fifteen assorted metal buckles for shoes and belts

18TH CENTURY

Details

Fifteen assorted metal buckles for shoes and belts
18th Century
of various metals, shapes and sizes

See colour illustration (15)

Special notice

Christie's charge a buyer's premium of 20% (VAT inclusive) for this lot.

Sale room notice

Please note that the Leymuiden collection (LOTS 47-56) are daggered:
The total amount payable is 125.5 of the hammer price.

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