Behind every antique piece of silver lies a secret, but rarely is that secret so tangibly revealed as with this unique collection. Zilverwebsite.nl proudly presents a museum-quality masterpiece from Frisian soil: an extremely rare lot of 39 antique Frisian birth spoons.
What truly makes this collection breathtaking and unique is the painstaking work of the collector. Over the past few years, not only have the spoons themselves been brought together; behind almost every spoon, the real human story has been sought and found. Parents, baptism dates, marriage dates, and death dates: Frisian history is given a face again through this silver.
A Frisian birth spoon (berteleppel) was traditionally a precious gift from godfathers, godmothers, or grandparents. The silver symbolized a wish for prosperity and wealth for the newborn child. Often, the spoon was inscribed with the name or initials and the birth date of the infant.
This lot comes with an exclusive, handwritten, and documented book (written in German). The collector delved into archives to reconstruct the lives of these babies. Where possible, even the original, official deeds have been included. The book also contains expert commentary and expertise from renowned silver and history experts Hessel de Walle and Jan Schipper. This makes the collection not just a compilation of silver, but a complete historical archive.
The Collection: 39 Flat Stems, Categories, and Top Quality
The collection has an impressive total weight of 2007 grams and consists exclusively of high-quality birth spoons with flat stems. The collector has carefully categorized the 39 spoons based on their symbolic finial:
1. Freedom as Finial
The Frisian maiden of freedom symbolizes the historical yearning for independence and pride in Friesland. This category contains 11 masterpieces:
- 1838, Bolsward – Made by Jan Piers Fennema. Concerns: Klaas Rintjes Boersma from Wommels.
- 1853, Bolsward – Made by Rintje Sipkes Sloterdijk. Concerns: Evert Ulbes Rijpma from Wonseradeel.
- 1853, Bolsward – Made by Lolke Feijes Wartna. Concerns: Gertruida Franziskus Postma from Bolsward.
- 1859, Bolsward – Made by Pier Jans Fennema. Concerns: Gerben Boukes Hoekstra from Wijtgaard.
- 1863, Baarderadeel – Made by Pier Jans Fennema. Concerns: Anke Klazes Boersma.
- 1866, Bolsward – Made by Pier Jans Fennema. Concerns: Akke Lolkes Nolle from Bolsward.
- 1872, Sneek – Made by A.M. Sustring. Concerns: Wytske Jans van Randen from IJlst.
- 1876, Wonseradeel – Made by Pier Jans Fennema. Concerns: Jentzke Pieris Terpstra.
- 1877, Sneek – Made by Tjitte Stevens Reitsma. Concerns: Oepkje Ruurds Feitsma from Hennaarderadeel.
- 1884, Leeuwarden – Made by Hendrik Stevens Reitsma. Concerns: R.D. Bakker from Wonseradeel.
- 1895, Sneek – Made by Johannes Johannesz. Schijfsma. Concerns: Jacobus van der Werf from Bolsward.
2. Rider and Horse as Finial
A powerful symbol often linked to the Frisian nobility, the farming class, or travelers.
- 1821, Sneek – Made by Age Ages Oosterwerf. Concerns: Jacob U Wiersma from Parrega.
- 1839, Leeuwarden – Made by Klaas Cornelis de Vries. (No inscription).
- 1842, Sneek – Made by Baltus Jacobs Terpstra. (No inscription).
- 1843, Sneek – Made by Johannes Jans Schijfsma. Concerns: Marij Simonis van der Zee from Wonseradeel.
- 1850, Leeuwarden – Made by H. Adema. Concerns: Marten Sijbes Veeman from Midlum.
- 1851, Sneek – Made by Jacob Feenstra. Concerns: Wypke Eiberts van Popta from Wymbritseradeel.
- 1855, Leeuwarden – Made by P.R. Cabboes. (No inscription).
- 1873, Sneek – Made by P.B. Binkes. Concerns: Sjerp Jetzes van der Baan from Parrega.
- 1874, Leeuwarden – Made by J.H. Beeling. (No inscription).
- 1878, Sneek/Leeuwarden – Made by A.M. Sustring. Concerns: Trijntje Bouma from Lutkewiersum.
3. Faith, Hope, and Charity as Finial
The three Christian virtues (often depicted as a cross, anchor, and heart or a figure holding these attributes) were a pious blessing for the newborn child.
- 1815, Sneek – Made by Albert Rodenberg. Concerns: Lolke Jacob van Wieren from IJlst.
- 1818, Leeuwarden – Made by Omius Swartwold. (No inscription).
- 1820, Sneek – Made by Petrus Rienstra. Concerns: Tjitske Cornelis Grondsma from Wymbritsadeel. (Special feature: equipped with pseudo-marks).
- 1821, Sneek – Made by Pieter Wolters Cool. Inscription: 1821.
- 1825, Sneek – Made by Meinardus Wilhelmus Warren. Concerns: J.M. van de Sluis from Landweer.
- 1825, Bolsward – Made by Sytse Djurres Westerbaan. (No inscription).
- 1831, Sneek – Made by Petrus Jans Rienstra. Concerns: Zake Andrys from Schillaard.
- 1835, Lemmer – Made by Nicolaas Romkes Koopmans. Concerns: Feite s. Hoeksma from Lemsterland.
- 1845, Harlingen – Made by Minne Hendriks Merkelbach. Concerns: Klaas Jans Sikkama from Barradeel.
- 1856, Sneek – Made by Meinardus Wilhelm Warren. Concerns: Elisabeth Hilles Ydema from Wymbritseradeel.
- 1873, Bolsward – Made by Lodewijk Feijes Wartna. Concerns: Gerrits Ypma from Bolsward.
4. Occupations as Finial
Spoons depicting the crafts or social standing of the family, ranging from farmers to seafarers.
- 1818, Harlingen – Made by Yurjen Harmanus Yskamp. Concerns: Johannes Frederik Langenhorst from Harlingen.
- 1832, Unknown master – Concerns: Sibbeltje van Dijk from Menaldumadeel.
- 1841, Sneek – Made by Petrus Rienstra. Concerns: Bokkjen Piers van Gosliga from Wonseradeel.
- 1847, Franeker – Made by Petrus Adamusz Guldenarm. Concerns: Gerlof Pieters Anema from Franekeradeel.
- 1850, Sneek – Made by Laurens van Manen. Concerns: Grietjen Bootes Jellema from Wymbritseradeel.
- 1854, Sneek – Made by Hein Pieters Minnema van Bokma. (No inscription).
- 1859, Sneek – Made by Johannes Johannesz Schijfsma. Concerns: S.B. Sevensma from Doniawerstal.
(Note for connoisseurs: spoon no. 589 from the collection actually has a different, surprising finial than originally stated in the documentation book—a delightful detail for the true researcher!)
Zilverwebsite.nl has managed to acquire this special life-phase collection in its entirety. It is an absolute milestone for us to temporarily welcome this complete historical ensemble, built up over decades by a passionate private collector, into our collection and offer it to the market.
Due to its cultural-historical value, unique coherence, and comprehensive documentation, this collection is sold exclusively as a whole. Splitting this lot would negate the historical context and years of research by the collector. This is a dream collection for a museum, a passionate private collector, or a foundation wishing to preserve Frisian heritage for the future.
Interested in this Unique Frisian Silver Collection?
Are you the collector who will give this Frisian silver heritage a new home? Contact us today via Zilverwebsite.nl for more information, detailed photos of the maker's marks, or to arrange a viewing by appointment.
