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Silver decorative spoon, C. Rietveld, Schoonhoven, 1892

Silver decorative spoon, C. Rietveld, Schoonhoven, 1892

Regular price €225,00 EUR
Regular price Sale price €225,00 EUR
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This large, high-grade silver commemorative spoon from the year 1892 was crafted by the highly regarded Schoonhoven silversmith Cornelis Rietveld.
The spoon tells the fascinating story of high-quality Dutch silver exports to Great Britain at the end of the 19th century and is fitted with an exceptionally complete, razor-sharp set of both Dutch and London hallmarks.

With a substantial length of 19.5 cm and a solid weight of 64.1 grams, this spoon feels heavy and solid in the hand. The stem is crowned by a beautifully cast, detailed openwork historical sailing ship (three-master) sailing over the waves with full sails.
The stem itself is masterfully executed in a robust, openwork, and twisted vine motif that, with floral details and a cast angel or child's head (putto), transitions into an expressive lion mask directly above the bowl of the spoon.
The reverse of the spoon bowl, the stem, and the sail show a fabulously sharp and complete series of hallmarks:
  • Dutch hallmarks: The Dutch Lion (1) in a hexagon for high-grade silver (.925 sterling) with the export key, the Minerva head with the office letter 'M' (assay office Schoonhoven), and the razor-sharp date letter 'h' for the early year 1892.
  • Silversmith: The official and crisply struck maker's mark 'R above 133 in a square' of master silversmith Cornelis Rietveld (active in Schoonhoven between 1865 and 1912). Also located on the bowl is a series of three Hanau-style pseudo-marks (including a crowned letter), which were used at the time to give the object a historical character.
  • British import hallmarks: The highly sought-after early importer's mark 'B.H.J' of the prominent firm B.H. Joseph & Co from Birmingham and London (Barnet Henry Joseph). Together with the London import assay mark (the lion passant and the Minerva head with the office letter) and the fineness mark .930 (the specific high fineness stamp).
Specifications:
  • Silversmith: Cornelis Rietveld, Schoonhoven (active 1865-1912)
  • Dating: 1892 (Dutch date letter h)
  • Importer: B.H. Joseph & Co, London / Birmingham (B.H.J)
  • Hallmarks: Lion 1 + key, Minerva head M, date letter h (1892), maker's mark Rietveld, 3 pseudo-marks, plus full London import stamps (.930, BHJ)
  • Decoration: Cast finial with sailing ship on waves, openwork stem with putto and lion mask
  • Length: 195 mm
  • Weight: 64.1 grams (heavy, solid quality)
  • Condition: In exceptionally beautiful, display-worthy condition. All finely detailed elements of the ship and the extensive series of hallmarks are perfectly and sharply preserved.
A magnificent spoon for the serious collector of top-quality Schoonhoven silver, maritime antiques, or silverware with rare, early double export documentation!
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Silver decorative spoon, C. Rietveld, Schoonhoven, 1892
Silver decorative spoon, C. Rietveld, Schoonhoven, 1892
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