Princess Margriet Francisca van Oranje-Nassau Commemorative Plate
Object numberMO 1944.19.6
Name
Plate, Commemorative
Date1943
Mediumceramic (glazed)
Dimensionsoverall W 10 1/2 in x D 1 1/8 in (26.7 cm x 2.9 cm )
DescriptionA large decorative china plate commemorating the birth of Princess Margriet of the Netherlands. On a white background is a stylized map depicting a map of the Netherlands kingdom including the Netherlands on the right, the Malay Archipelago below, and the country of Suriname and several Caribbean Islands on the left. At the top of the plate is a version of the coat of arms of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, followed by an inscription that reads: PRINSES MARGRIET FRANCISCA / VAN ORANJE-NASSAU / 19 JANUARI 1943.
A poem in the center of the plate reads: ORANJE-KINDJE, / ZOO VER VAN HUIS, / GOD GEVE U DRIE GESCHENKEN: / EEN HAANTJE, DAT HOLLANDS VICTORIE KRAAIT, / EEN VAANTJE, DAT VRIJ VOOR ORANJE WAAIT, / TWEE KLOMPJES, OM TE STAAN OP HOLLAND’S GROND, / ALS ONS VOLK U JUICHEND ZIJN LIEFDE VERKONDT. / GOD GEVE DIE DRIE GESCHENKEN!
On the reverse of the plate is: the image of a Dutch pennant; the name of the plate sponsor, the "NETHERLANDS AID SOCIETY," flanked by images of a building steeple and a pair of wooden shoes; the Lamberton Scammell maker's mark; the word "TEKST" and the poet’s facsimile signature, “J A van Heurn”; and the number "20."
Label TextThis plate was made to commemorate the birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet Francisca van Oranje Nassau, the godchild of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The concept for the plate was inspired by an old Dutch tradition by which special events in national life are commemorated in this manner. A poem in the center of the plate reads: ORANJE-KINDJE, / ZOO VER VAN HUIS, / GOD GEVE U DRIE GESCHENKEN: / EEN HAANTJE, DAT HOLLANDS VICTORIE KRAAIT, / EEN VAANTJE, DAT VRIJ VOOR ORANJE WAAIT, / TWEE KLOMPJES, OM TE STAAN OP HOLLAND’S GROND, / ALS ONS VOLK U JUICHEND ZIJN LIEFDE VERKONDT. / GOD GEVE DIE DRIE GESCHENKEN!
On the reverse of the plate is: the image of a Dutch pennant; the name of the plate sponsor, the "NETHERLANDS AID SOCIETY," flanked by images of a building steeple and a pair of wooden shoes; the Lamberton Scammell maker's mark; the word "TEKST" and the poet’s facsimile signature, “J A van Heurn”; and the number "20."
The plate was presented to FDR on April 20, 1943 by the Netherlands Aid Society, Inc. of New York, NY.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on July 7, 1943. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.Collections
Non exposé