Silver fish slice, A.F. van Wijk, Amsterdam, 1890

Silver fish slice or serving spoon made by the silversmith A.F. van Wijk (Albertus Franciscus van Wijk). He was a renowned Amsterdam silversmith who was active in the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century. He was part of a broader and respected tradition of Dutch silversmiths, with the Van Wijk family playing a prominent role in Amsterdam silver production throughout the 19th century.

Van Wijk was particularly known in the silver world for his high-quality scoop work. He not only manufactured functional fish serving slices but also soup ladles, sugar sifters, sauce ladles, and cake servers. His workshop produced tableware that was both technically complex and elegant, intended for the wealthy bourgeoisie who at the time valued a richly decorated and etiquette-correct dinner table.

The slice has a characteristic flat, wide, and fan-shaped blade specifically designed to serve delicate fish fillets or portions of fish whole. The geometric, radially cut openwork in the middle of the blade was originally intended to allow excess cooking liquid, fat, or sauce to drain directly when serving.

The slice is marked with the second fineness mark, Minerva's head, year letter F for 1890, and master's mark AVW with a fish above it.

The bowl of the spoon is exceptionally beautifully cut.

Weight: 84 grams. Dimensions: 7.5 x 23 cm.