Elizabeth Bas Plate

An image of a plate hanging on a brown wall. The plate has a picture of a woman in a bonnet and a large ruffle collar painted in blue and white. Around the edge are florals painted in blue and white.
The portrait of Elizabeth Bas in the Eldon House Morning Room

Country of Origin: Netherlands
Year: ca. 1890s
Materials: Porcelain and paint 

This porcelain plate hangs in the Morning Room of Eldon House and has the face of Elisabeth Bas stamped on it. Elisabeth was a Dutch woman, who lived from 1571-1649. She was the wife of a sailor, Jochem Swartenhont, and as was typical of navy wives, she set up a small business to sustain her family during his absences. When her husband was on leave, her family set up a successful pub which she managed until the 1630s. She later sold it for the equivalent of around 2 million dollars, making her one of the wealthiest women in the Netherlands. This portrait was commissioned by her granddaughter Maria and was painted by the artist Ferdinand Bol. It remains one of his most noted works. Plates with Bol’s work were sold as souvenirs, and this one was likely collected by the Harris Family during their 1898 trip to the Netherlands.

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.