Grafmonument, Herenweg bij 79

English translation

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Description

Introduction

FAMILY GRAVE "Graaf", forming part of the Roman Catholic church complex St. Laurentius. The grave monument of the Graaf family, situated to the left of the priest's grave, is executed in neoclassical style and dates, judged by the oldest recorded death dates of C. Graaf (1806-1871) and C. Graaf-Bleeker (died 1877), presumably from the seventies of the nineteenth century. On the rear of the standing component of the monument, bottom right, a signature in four lines is visible, rendered illegible by weathering.

Description

Composite grave monument consisting of a 26 cm high limestone plateau of approximately 3.05 x 2.35 metres with plinth on which stands an iron grave fence and a limestone tomb which adjoins at the rear against a standing grave marker of cream-coloured limestone. The 0.60 m high grave tomb measures 1.10 by 2.22 m at the base and narrows upwards in two stepped stages. The cover plate of the tomb is shaped like a gently sloping gabled roof and can be lifted using an iron ring attached to the front. The grave fence around the tomb is composed of five (three at the front) 1.08 m high round fence posts of cast iron crowned with a pinecone and connected to each other by a wrought iron chain link of alternating ordinary and diamond-shaped flat links. The approximately 2.90 metre high (including cross) standing grave marker consists of a tall central section that tapers upwards and is flanked by lower and somewhat recessed side sections. The front of the central section is executed in rustication and provided with a rounded niche containing an angel in high relief holding a scroll with the inscription "VREDE". The lower half of the niche is framed by laurel wreaths hung from two bows. Both the central section and the narrow side sections have a frieze at the top with inlaid circular motifs of blackpainted limestone and are topped by a projecting cover stone in the form of a triangular pediment. On the front of the cover piece of the central section a butterfly (symbol of the mortal soul) is carved with curled motifs on either side. The central section is crowned by a cross whose arms terminate in a flower motif. The cover pieces of the side sections, adjoining at right angles to the central section, are crowned by a palmette. Against the front of both side sections is attached a limestone commemorative plaque, of which the left one bears the following inscription: "THE LORD C. GRAAF./BORN: ZAANDAM/ 6. OCT: 1806/ DIED: ALKMAAR/ 20. DEC. 1871./ CATHA. E. GRAAF/ BORN: 12 APRIL 1844/ DIED: 28. JULY 1916./ PASTOR J.F. GRAAF/ BORN: ZAANDAM 8/9 1852/ ORDAINED PRIEST 15/8 1878/ DIED: 25 APRIL 1932". The right commemorative plaque states the following: "C. GRAAF-BLEEKER/ DIED: ALKMAAR/ 25 DEC: 1877/ EMMA CHRISTINA/ GRAAF/ DIED: ALKMAAR/ 13 JAN: 1920/ ELISABETH EMMA/ GRAAF/ DIED: ALKMAAR/ 1 SEPT: 1922".

Valuation

The family grave "Graaf" is of general importance because of its cultural-historical value as a well-preserved family grave from the second half of the 19th century executed in neoclassical style and as a component of the Roman Catholic church complex St. Laurentius.