Miniature Witch Weigh House, J. Verhoogt, Hoorn, 1921

Heavy silver miniature of the Witch Weigh House, made by the silversmith J. Verhoogt from Hoorn. Active from 1896 to 1936.

Jan (Johannes) Verhoogt began as a knife sharpener, later specializing entirely in luxurious silver miniatures. He became world-renowned in the antique world as THE specialist in windmills and sailing ships.

The A-shaped construction represents the large weigh house used in earlier centuries to check the weight of an accused person. Witches were known to be as light as a feather to fly on a broomstick; a 'normal' weight meant innocence.

In the foreground is the official (the weigh master), recognizable by his coat and tricorne hat. On the scale stands the woman being weighed to prove her innocence. We also see the tray with the heavy weights and barrels that are meant to compensate for the 'natural' body weight.

The miniature is hallmarked with the second fineness mark, Minerva head, year letter L for 1921, and the maker's mark JV with a hammer.

The miniature is in perfect condition.

Weight: 36.3 grams. Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 8 cm.

Check out the blog about the silversmith J. Verhoogt from Hoorn here