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Silver ornamental spoon, C. Rietveld, Schoonhoven, 1896

Silver ornamental spoon, C. Rietveld, Schoonhoven, 1896

Regular price €235,00 EUR
Regular price Sale price €235,00 EUR
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This fine, second-grade silver commemorative spoon from the year 1896 was crafted by the highly esteemed Schoonhoven master silversmith Cornelis Rietveld. Unlike many comparable examples, this piece was kept purely for the Dutch market and possesses an exceptionally charming, hand-engraved design.

With a length of 180 mm and a solid weight of 61.6 grams, this is a high-quality, sturdy specimen. The handle is crowned by a beautifully detailed cast three-masted V.O.C. ship (East Indiaman) sailing with full sails.
The handle itself is elegantly executed in a twisted, openwork vine motif with floral details, which rests at the base on a finely cast female figure (caryatid) directly above the start of the spoon bowl.

An absolute added value for the collector is found on the reverse side of the otherwise sleek, egg-shaped spoon bowl. Here, a razor-sharp, extremely graceful hand-engraving has been applied of a flying dove with an olive branch in its beak (Dove of Peace), framed by elegant baroque scroll and net motifs. This beautiful combination of the ship on the front and the dove of peace on the back symbolizes a safe voyage and the hope for a secure, peaceful life journey or marriage.

The back of the spoon bowl and the handle show a sharp and pristine set of hallmarks from the end of the 19th century:
  • Dutch Lion (2): The official fineness stamp in a hexagon for second-grade silver (.833) with the export key. Although the spoon bears this export mark, the object never made the crossing and therefore deliberately contains no British import hallmarks.
  • Minerva head with the letter 'M': The office mark of the assay office in Schoonhoven, where the spoon was officially hallmarked.
  • Year letter 'M': The exact year stamp corresponding to the year 1896.
  • Silversmith: The official maker's mark 'R above 133 in a square' of master silversmith Cornelis Rietveld (active in Schoonhoven between 1865 and 1912).
Specifications:
  • Silversmith: Cornelis Rietveld, Schoonhoven (active 1865-1912)
  • Date: 1896 (Year letter M)
  • Hallmarks: Lion 2 (.833) + key, Minerva head M (Schoonhoven), year letter M (1896) and Rietveld maker's mark.
  • Decoration: Cast top piece with V.O.C. ship, openwork handle and a hand-engraved Dove of Peace on the bowl.
  • Length: 180 mm
  • Weight: 61.6 grams (beautiful, heavy quality)
  • Condition: In exceptionally beautiful, authentic condition with a fantastically preserved shape, razor-sharp hallmarks, and a soft, warm aged patina.
A magnificent and symbolic masterpiece for collectors of Schoonhoven silver, maritime antiques, or historical commemorative spoons!
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Silver ornamental spoon, C. Rietveld, Schoonhoven, 1896
Silver ornamental spoon, C. Rietveld, Schoonhoven, 1896
€235,00/ea
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