Authentication of the arms of the family Van Steelan[d]t.

Large vellum roll made of 2 leaves stuck together, ca. 135 x 61 cm.

Large roll showing three large handdrawn glass stained church windows with coloured coats of arms, and 4 large handdrawn and nicely coloured funeral monuments of the important family Van Steelandt, also with their coats of arms, some coloured. According to an inscription on verso of the roll, the drawings were made in the parish church of Waasmunster, a Flemish town between Ghent and Antwerp: "Copies authentiques des armoiries de la famille de Steelant des vitres de Leglise à Wasemunster pay de Waes." This document and these drawings must have been made for the family, as official proof and authentication of the existence, the form and the colours of the family arms. This is probably a copy for a family member, of a sealed document that rests in official archives. The funeral monuments show the names of Phelips (Watergraaf van Vlaanderen, + 1540), Marck (Hoofdschepen Land van Waas, + 1569), Charles (id., + 1624) and Servaes (id., + 1551). With official contemp. ms. note, signed by four hands, i.a. the mayor and the clerk of Waasmunster.