Peering up at the facade, have you ever noticed that striking black figure adorning Rokin 64? This is no ordinary decoration. This is a story etched in stone, a tale that winds through Amsterdam’s rich history. It is a story about De Moriaan.
De Moriaan. The Moor. Who was he? Why is he there? The answers, like the city itself, are layered with time and trade.
Let’s journey back to 1610. A merchant named Barthelomeus Moor, born in Antwerp, purchased this land and built a house. Moor was one of many immigrants from the Southern Netherlands. In a time before house numbers, people often used symbols related to their name or profession to identify their homes. It is believed that Barthelomeus Moor inspired the figure of De Moriaan.
But why a Moor? The depiction of Moors was common among tobacco sellers. Some speculate a connection to the idealized depictions of indigenous families. But, it is more likely that the figure is a play on the owner’s last name. Later, Moor lived on the Herengracht in a house called “In de Moor”.
De Moriaan isn’t just a name or a figure. It is a marker of identity. More than a century after Barthelomeus Moor built the house, his descendants continued to live here. His descendants married into prominent families, like the Bernards, Reaal, and Hasselaers.
One notable descendant, Daniel Bernard, was involved in the slave trade. He served as director of the Sociëteit Suriname in 1689. He was also a member of Amsterdam’s city council and a director of the Levantse Handel.
The house at Rokin 64, with its figure of De Moriaan, stands as a silent witness to these complex histories. It connects us to Amsterdam’s Golden Age, immigration, trade, and the legacy of slavery.
So, the next time you find yourself on the Rokin, take a moment to look up. Consider the story of Barthelomeus Moor. Consider the story of his descendants. Think about the figure of De Moriaan. It is a reminder that history is always present.