Historic Cemetery Centre Workum

That Sinkel was of Catholic origin is not evident from the gravestone. Workum only had a Jewish cemetery, so he was buried in the general churchyard. The grave monument must have attracted much attention in the 19th century due to its size. At that time, it likely stood fairly isolated.

* Cloppenburg (Ger.) 23 September 1798 – † Zuiderzee 1833

The role of Germans among entrepreneurs in Leeuwarden was significant in the 19th century. Founders of large clothing workshops were German “lapkepoepen” or “fine cloth vendors,” as they were popularly called. In 1826 (1829? [MM]), Hermann and Joseph Sinkel, originally from Germany, opened their textile shop on Nieuwstad in Leeuwarden. They were the first to sell clothes at fixed prices and from stock, accepting only cash payments. It didn’t stop at clothing; other goods were soon added to the assortment. Sinkel’s shop displayed goods in a shop window, something unusual at the time. After a major expansion in 1845, they continued as a warehouse: the first department store in Leeuwarden. This formula became so successful after 1870 that others adopted it.
Who doesn’t know the famous rhyme:

In de winkel van Sinkel
is alles te koop,
potten en pannen,
mosterd en stroop,
hoeden en petten,
Ook damescorsetten……….

One of the Sinkels, Joseph Maurits Anton Sinkel, did not live to see the success of their formula. He tragically died during a journey to Amsterdam. This is recorded on his grave monument, located on the south side of the late-Gothic Grote or St. Gertrudiskerk in Workum:

‘Joseph Maurits Anton Sinkel
born 23 September 1798
in Cloppenburg, Duchy of Oldenburg
married 27 October 1832
to Dorothea Schenkberg
on his journey from Leeuwarden, his residence,
to Amsterdam, on the evening of 28 December
thereafter tragically
fell overboard and drowned
His body was found on 27 May 1833
on this coast
and buried at this place
If you mourn the misfortune suffered by him, your friend,
then dedicate your fervent prayers to his dear soul
May he rest in peace’

The grave monument of Sinkel stands out due to its size and shape. In English, this would be called a “boxtomb.” It is essentially a large box made of Belgian hardstone, placed on the grave and covered with a heavy slab. This raises the readable part of the monument more than a meter above the ground. The inscription occupies most of the slab and is slightly recessed, allowing the stonemason to create raised lettering. Below the text is a blackened area with a central, lens-shaped cartouche. Inside is a skull with crossed bones — a strong symbol of death. That Sinkel was Catholic is not indicated on the stone. Since Workum only had a Jewish cemetery, he was buried in the general churchyard.

In the 19th century, the monument must have caused quite a stir due to its size. At that time, it likely stood alone. Only towards the end of the 19th and into the 20th century were surrounding graves added. Although it is a solidly built monument, time has taken its toll. The heavy stone structure rests on a brick foundation, which has weakened due to subsidence caused by nearby grave digging, causing the structure to shift. It would be a shame if, in a few years, the monument could no longer be restored, as it reminds us of the “Winkel van Sinkel” and the rise of Dutch department stores founded by German families.

Literature

• Monumenten in Nederland Fryslân, Rijksdienst voor de Monumentenzorg; Zwolle (2002)
• Leeuwarden 750-2000 Hoofdstad van Friesland, ed. René Kunst; Franeker (1999)