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Her son and husband passed away, but the collection brought peace to Bertie’s mother.

Broadcast United News Desk

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It’s not often that you see a collection of several dozen holy water containers, let alone advertised for sale. Bertie (54) from Budel has been selling these containers on the auction site Marktplaats for several days. There is a lot of sadness behind the collection. “My mother lost almost everyone, but no one can take this collection away from her.”

Profile photo of Ron Worstermans

The story behind Bertie’s ad campaign began on July 9. That day, her 84-year-old mother died. “My mother was a very decent woman. She always wore an apron, a kind of sarong. And the scholk was very old-fashioned. I don’t think there was any other woman in the Netherlands who wore glasses for so long and so often – well, except Ma Flodder,” Bertie says with a smile.

But her smile can’t hide the sadness in her voice. Bertie finds it difficult to talk about her mother so soon after her death. “It means so much to me. It’s hard to explain,” she said. “Her death was so sudden. All of a sudden, she’s gone.”

One of the holy water tanks (private photo).
One of the holy water tanks (private photo).

Bertie and other family members recently inherited the 84-year-old Budles’ estate. The estate also includes a collection of dozens of holy water vessels, which typically contain water blessed by a priest. In the past, such vessels were often hung on the walls of home entrances.

At Bertie’s mother’s house, on the other hand, the (empty) containers were hung almost everywhere. “There were nails on almost every wall. She had at least forty of these holy water troughs. Each one had a special place in the house,” Bertie said. “She could really get involved with these things. Hanging it up, putting flowers on it: she loved all of it.”

Market Pearls

The most special and eye-catching items are sold on the Internet. Each one has its own story. In the Marktplaatsparels section we will tell you the story behind one such ad.

Bertie believes that for her mother, the secret collection was more than just a hobby. “Thirty years ago, her son died in an accident. Right in front of her. Ten years ago, she was also a widow. She had lost a lot of people. Her collection gave her stability. When you lose that many people, you start to hold on. I really think that was what she was.”

Bertie’s mother was religious. “She was often found in cemeteries and churches. She just loved being there. She found peace there. I also think it was because of what she had been through.” The collection of holy water containers, on the other hand, “only” started five years ago, when Bertie and her mother drove around the area’s thrift stores looking for containers.

A moment shared by mother and daughter. “She really loves this, she loves going to thrift stores. Especially the one in Buddle,” said Bertie. The collection’s consignment now obviously means a lot to her. That’s why, according to her daughter, the search is on for a “worthy buyer”.

Private Photos
Private Photos

“As a family, we choose to get rid of the containers, but we don’t just throw them out. Our mom has a lot of respect for the containers. Then you don’t just throw them out the door. I got a few offers on two or three containers, but we really only want to sell them as one big collection. So no loose ends.”

Money plays little role in this, Bertie says. “And neither does time. The series doesn’t have to go away now, tomorrow or in six months. It just has to go away because it does make people happy. That’s what my mother would have wanted.”

Want to read more Marktplaats pearls? That’s possible!

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