6 Silver teaspoons, Zaanse Zilversmederij / G. Schoorl, Amsterdam, ca. 1920

6 silver teaspoons made by the Zaanse Zilversmederij (formerly Fam. Schoorl) from Amsterdam / Zaandijk. Active from 1920 to 1990.

Gerardus Schoorl (1848-1919) started his smithy in 1871 on Lagedijk in Zaandijk. Together with his sons, he developed the world-famous 'Zaans silverware'. The smithy later expanded to Haarlem and the Rokin in Amsterdam under the name Zaanse/Zaanlandse Zilversmederij.

Schoorl was known for forging detailed old-Dutch scenes in relief, or spoons with a twisted stem and apostle figures or windmills.

The inside of the lid shows the original fabric band with advertising print. It lists the three branches of the company: The Hague (Hoogstraat 28), Rotterdam (Noordblaak 11) and Amsterdam (Kalverstraat 51). This type of cassette and the specific store locations date the set to the early 20th century (approximately 1920–1930).

This is a varied set with, as finials, typical Dutch/Zaan motifs:

1. Smock mill with a cap and a stage.
2. Stork (symbol of good luck and The Hague).
3. Three-master / VOC ship.
4. Knight / Saint George on horseback with shield.
5. Water carrier / Yoke carrier with buckets.
6. Cog ship (historical symbol for Amsterdam).

The inside of the bowls is decorated with detailed reliefs of Old Dutch interior scenes (inspired by 17th-century masters such as Jan Steen), including tavern scenes with people drinking and playing cards, and a village scene with a church.

The set is in excellent condition.

Weight of the silver: 56.8 grams. Length of the spoons: 10.5 cm.