Dutch sugar sifter from Den Haag (the Hague) -- when was it made?

[fermiersgeneraux]

Hello All,

Here's a dutch sugar sifter in solid silver from the 18th century possibly. I'm not 100% certain about the silversmith ("IT" hallmark), and I have no idea which year this item was made (letter date is crowned "I") - see photos further below.

The hallmarks on the spoon are as follows:
1. Town Hallmark- La Hague (Den Daag) (stork/heron in crowned shield)- [see hallmark No. 629, page 71, in Beuque vol. 1]
2. letter date hallmark - letter “I” in a crowned shield - no idea what the year might be???
3. silver standard hallmark - 18thc -Lion rampant in crowned shield-dutch standard 934/1000 [see hallmark No. 488, page 55 in Beuque vol. 1]
4. Countermark / Tax mark for old Dutch made articles, 1814-1953 (“cursive J”) -[see hallmark No. 2201, page 249 in Beuque , vol. 1]
5. Silversmith hallmark, Den Haag (initials “IT”) - Johannes van der Toorn II (worked 1771-1811)

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated. Best regards, fermiersgeneraux

[oel]

Hi,

IT in a rectangle for; Johannes van der Toorn II, registered in the Hague from 1771-1828. The IT mark can also be encountered as a falsification.
For the marks and the Hague see:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32028

The Hague year letter I crowned is for 1804

[fermiersgeneraux]

Thank you for this information, Oel - much appreciated!

[oel]

Johannes van der Toorn belongs to one of the most productive silversmiths of The Hague in the period around 1800, and well known for his high quality.

Brother; Pieter van der Toorn,occupation silversmith. Father; Gregorius van der Toorn, occupation silversmith. Mother; Jacoba de Wint.
Johannes was born in 1747, and learned the trade from his father. Johannes has been registered with The Hague silver guild (1771-1807) as Johannes van der Toorn II(2nd) and after the period of the guilds during the Kingdom of Holland ( French occupation) (1807-1811) as Johannes van der Toorn and later in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1812-1828. Johannes van der Toorn died in The Hague on November 27th 1832. Johannes had a long and productive life.
Silver items made; candle sticks, tea caddies, condiment sets, open salts, salvers, pepper pots, chestnut vases, tea sets, hot water jugs(bouillior), pastry baskets, ladles & cutlery and biscuit boxes.


Best,

Peter

[fermiersgeneraux]

Thanks again Peter, this additional information is quite interesting. Do you have any insight into how rare or common such sifters were in Holland during this period (end of the 18th / beginning of the 19th century)? and in comparison to those in France or England..

Best regards, fermiersgeneraux

[oel]

The silver sugar sifter in the Netherlands has been a popular utensil in the 18th and 19th century. Many were made and there are different types with; round, oval and square bowls and with straight, curved, flat or cast stems with a decorated terminal and after 1780 handles made of agate, wood or ivory became popular. Often the bowls are pierced (ajouré).
Sugar sifters made in the Hague show sublime pierce work and are outstanding in design, just like this one made by Johannes van der Toorn. Enjoy your sifter.

Best,

Peter

[fermiersgeneraux]

Thank you, Peter - much appreciated!