Rat-tail spoon - Maker’s Mark unknown

[Dendriet]

’






Thanks in advance
Dendriet

[Dendriet]

It's summer time, so roll up the sleeves.

Maker’s Mark : Bernt Wolff (Wolffsen)
Born in The Hague.
Died in 1733 (?) Nijmegen
He bought on 08/01/1710 civilian rights , as a silversmith from The Hague
Shortly afterwards he married at Neerbosch (Reading of banns Nijmegen 07/27/1710)
Maria Engelina of Sandoe(i)l

Something goes wrong in the book "Goud en zilvermerken van Voet"
There are City-Marks (Nijmegen) shown, who would not fit at all. (Crowned letter N)
Date letter is correct. 1722 - 1723 (Crowned letter O)
Maker's Mark is a walking wolf looking backwards.

Now I got a list of the correct City Marks of Nijmegen, a complete list of date letters, and also a list about 49 Maker’s Marks of Nijmegen.

If anyone has more information, everything is welcome


I made this compilation

[oel]

Hi Dendriet,

Good to read you’re enjoying the summer and done some great work. I am offshore and do not have access to my library but the book; “L.B. Gans, Goud-en Zilvermerken van Voet”, starts by stating that there are still plenty of omissions and uncertainties about the Dutch guild marks and how the hallmarks were used.

For the city of Nijmegen the book mentions the crowned N; being a standard mark introduced beginning 18th century but also shows images of the crowned N as a stand alone, “pretending” to be a kind of city mark. I believe, your image could show the 2nd standard of silver or “kleine keur” for Nijmegen; crowned N for the city mark with the date letter a crowned O and makers' mark. The first standard or "grote keur" could be; the double headed eagle or city/province guarantee mark, with the city mark a crowned N and date letter and makers' mark. The crowned O for 1722-1723. I will send you some images when I have access to my library. Till the end of the 17th century-beginning of the 18th century, the double headed eagle has been the guild city mark of Nijmegen and only one standard used; 1st standard. I believe it could well be that at the end of the 17th century, with the introduction of the 2nd standard; the double headed eagle became a kind of standard guarantee city/mark, only to be used for the 1st standard.

If not, than we have to assume, the assayers of Nijmegen often forgot to add the double headed eagle or city mark for the 1st standard of silver, after they had applied the crowned N . Or has your double headed eagle been rubbed out/polish away? I do not think so, all this requires some further digging.
The Wolf makers' mark for; Bernt Wolff Nijmegen registered during 1710-1733.

Again enjoy the good weather; some of us have to work.

Best,

Oel.

[Dendriet]

Hi Oel,

"You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs." ;)



Have a nice day.


Dendriet

[Dendriet]

Hi Oel

A double-headed eagle was never ever placed.
The Hallmarks which are placed in the spoon, are fresh as ever placed.
"Van Voet" writes down that from the early 18th century (voor grote keur) a crowned N adds, but that does not mean he was placed next to a double-headed eagle.

In my view, it means that either could be used.


It's 26 degrees, I'll be thinking about a lazy afternoon.

Best regards
Dendriet

[Dendriet]

Nijmegen The name is derived from the Latin term "Novio-magus" meaning.'new market'
Therefore I don't understand the crowned letter K (in "Van Voet")

Greetz
Dendriet

[Dendriet]

In my opinion they used only the crowned letter N, or...... the double-headed eagle.
A crowned letter K for Nijmegen seems a bit weird to me


Here is an example




Greetz
Dendriet

[Dendriet]

This crowned K is beyond my understanding (image “van Voet”)




Greetz
Dendriet

[oel]

Hi Dendriet,

Stay cool, the crowned K is a date letter,for the year 1714-1715

Oel.

[oel]

Hi,

Perhaps this will clarify the matter.

City of Nijmegen in the province of Gelderland.

“Grote keur” or 1st standard; always city mark of Nijmegen; the double headed eagle with a date letter.
In the beginning of the 18th century a crowned N was added. See below for the 1st standard; city mark, the double headed eagle, followed the by date letter a crowned N, followed by crowned N (upside down with different crown)in this case used as a standard mark, followed by the maker's mark and followed by the crowned O, later duty mark (1807)



Below the crowned N used as standard mark (1st) and the maker’s mark WS crowned for Willem Schiff.



Below the year or date letter N crowned for 1768-1769



Below city mark of Nijmegen double headed eagle



Below, my assumption of the marks on your spoon; crowned N for Nijmegen used as a city mark and standard mark to indicate the 2nd standard or “kleine keur”, followed by the date letter crowned O for 1722-1723. NB: Crowned N, actually we should call it an N in a crowned shield. The shape of the shield may vary, from flat base to pointed




Oel.


Gratitude:Stadszilver.nl

[Dendriet]

HI Oel

Okay a point for you, I was blinded by the text and expected the city mark of the crowned letter N.
Stay cool, I can use it after this hot day.
It’s better to wait for the photos when you have access to your library :))

Best regards

Dendriet

[oel]

Hi Dendriet,

I took the liberty to use an other library source see above.

Go back to your BQ
Best,

Oel.

[Dendriet]

Hi Oel

Go back to your BQ ? No thanks, I can not see or smell the BQ anymore
I just go on to something liquid, so I can further cooling.
Thanks a lot for the information, I hope I have not been too difficult.
Tomorrow I will see it all more clearly. ;))
I am a happy man

Best regards
Dendriet