Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Image Not Available for Sandstone building block portico corner piece
Sandstone building block portico corner piece
Image Not Available for Sandstone building block portico corner piece

Sandstone building block portico corner piece

Datebefore 1629
Object number00046427
NameBuilding block
MediumSandstone
DimensionsOverall: 450 x 930 x 680 mm
ClassificationsVessels and fittings
Credit LineANMM Collection Transferred from Australian Netherlands Committee on Old Dutch Shipwrecks
DescriptionThese three sandstone blocks form part of a portico being transported by the BATAVIA. The BATAVIA was carrying 137 carved sandstone blocks and 6 bronze pintles (gate hinges) which were destined to form the watergate of Fort Batavia. The reconstructed portico is now at the Western Australian Maritime Museum. These 3 pieces were amongst a number of blocks left over from the reconstruction. It is unknown what the largest block would have been used for but the 2 smaller pieces may have formed part of a gunport or window. The small honeycomb-like pattern on the surface of the blocks is a peculiarity of Renaissance style typical of central Germany between about 1530 and 1630. Recent scientific analysis shows that the sandstone comes from the Bentheim quarry in Germany (Bentheim sandstone was also being used for architectural sculpture in Amsterdam at the time).