Silver decorative cork, windmill, J. Verhoogt, Hoorn, approx. 1910

An antique silver bottle stopper (ornamental cork) crowned with a windmill, made by the renowned silversmith Jan Verhoogt from Hoorn. Jan Verhoogt (active between 1894 and 1936) was originally a knife sharpener but gained great fame as a specialist in silver miniatures, particularly windmills and sailing ships.

The silver is hallmarked with the 'zwaardje' (sword mark) for at least second-grade silver and the maker's mark JV hammer.

The blades are mounted on an axle and can rotate. At the back, the tail of the mill (to turn the blades into the wind) is simulated with a silver chain/wire.

At the bottom, there is still a part of the original cork in a silver setting, intended to elegantly seal a carafe or bottle.

The miniature is in good condition. The fragile blades and the chain at the back are still completely intact. There is slight, natural oxidation (the dark silver polish residue in the deeper engravings), which beautifully accentuates the age and character of the antique silver.

Weight: 25.2 grams. Dimensions: 3 x 7 cm.