Hans of Antwerp facts for kids

Hans of Antwerp (born around 1497 – died after July 1, 1550) was a skilled goldsmith and merchant. He worked in London during the time of King Henry VIII. Hans made beautiful silver items and jewels for the King's royal court. His real name was Jan van der Goes.

Hans's Life and Work

Early Life and Moving to London

Hans of Antwerp, whose real name was Jan van der Goes, was born around 1497. He moved to London in about 1511. Later, he married an English woman and they had many children together. Some people think he might have been "John Goldsmith, the Ducheman." This person was known for making special items for important people, like the Earl of Shrewsbury, in 1516.

Becoming a Master Goldsmith

In 1528, four young people who learned from Hans became official members of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. This was a special group for goldsmiths. Even though Hans was not yet an official member himself, he was very good at his craft.

He faced some trouble because his work was not always hallmarked. A hallmark is a special stamp that shows the quality of metal. In 1536, he was briefly put in prison. This was because he hired a craftsman from another country without getting permission from the Goldsmiths' Company.

Working for the Royal Court

In 1537, Hans became an official member of the Goldsmiths' Company. This happened because Thomas Cromwell, a powerful advisor to King Henry VIII, helped him. Cromwell hired Hans as a goldsmith and also as a messenger for the court. Hans worked a lot for Cromwell between 1537 and 1539.

In 1537, Hans also sold "goldsmith's works" to Princess Mary, who would later become Queen.

A Famous Portrait

A famous artist named Hans Holbein the Younger painted a portrait in 1532. This painting, now in the Royal Collection, is sometimes thought to be of Hans of Antwerp. Another small portrait, called a miniature, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, might also be him. Holbein's painting shows a letter in the sitter's hands. The writing on the letter connects the person in the painting to the Steelyard, which was a trading area in London.

Hans and Holbein's Friendship

On October 7, 1543, Hans was one of four people who witnessed Hans Holbein's will. This means he was there when Holbein signed his last wishes. Holbein owed Hans £6, which was a good amount of money back then. On November 29, Hans went to court to help carry out his friend's will.

The Girdle Book

A special gold girdle book cover is believed to have been made by Hans of Antwerp. It is now in the British Museum. A girdle book was a small book that people could hang from their belt. This cover has beautiful enamel pictures. On one side, it shows the story of the brazen serpent from the Bible. On the other side, it shows the Judgement of Solomon.

A similar girdle book can be seen in a painting from 1592. The painting shows a woman wearing what looks like a treasured family item. The girdle book made by Hans of Antwerp was later updated to be used with a book printed in 1574.

Later Years

In 1547, Hans worked with another goldsmith named Peter Anderson. Together, they made gilt plate for King Henry VIII. Gilt plate means items covered in a thin layer of gold.

The exact date of Hans's death is not known. The last record of him is from 1550. It is an entry in a church register that mentions the burial of his 7-year-old son, Augustine. The entry says: "1550, July 1, Augustine Andwarpe, soonne of John Andwarpe." This suggests Hans was still alive then.

Images for kids

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  A Merchant of the German Steelyard: 'Hans of Antwerp', c. 1532, Hans Holbein the Younger

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  A portrait from 1592 depicts a woman wearing a girdle book