Silver sauce ladle, P. van Harderwijk, Utrecht, 1863

Dutch silver sauce spoon, made by silversmith Petrus van Harderwijk from Utrecht. Active from 1843 to 1902.

Petrus (P.) van Harderwijk was a renowned, highly skilled silversmith active in Utrecht during the mid- and late 19th century. He was part of a prominent Utrecht silversmith family. Successive generations often worked closely together under family names such as Gebr. van Harderwijk or Petrus & Hermannus van Harderwijk. Their heyday was between 1843 and 1902.

Like the great Amsterdam masters, the Van Harderwijk firm excelled in luxurious, heavyweight tableware and serving pieces. They were regionally known for their magnificent fruit scoops, salad servers, and sauce spoons.

Around 1863, the romantic Biedermeier style slowly merged with the 'Neo-styles' (such as Neo-Rococo). The richly chased floral motif and the exuberantly undulating, asymmetrical shell-shaped edges on the spoon are prime examples of this.

Hallmarked with maker's mark VH8, second-grade assay mark, Minerva head, and year letter 'd' for 1863.

The spoon is in beautiful condition.

Weight: 44.2 grams. Length: 20 cm.