ANTWERP, 1602, MAKER'S MARK INDISTINCT, POSSIBLY A SIX-POINTED STAR

Details

A FLEMISH SILVER-GILT WINDMILL CUP
Antwerp, 1602, maker's mark indistinct, possibly a six-pointed star
The bowl with engraved scrolling foliage and strapwork moresques with similar band above, between moulded ribs, the upper part of the bowl engraved 'HIM', with baluster knop above, the base to the windmill with applied huntsman blowing his horn, and two hounds chasing a hare, between scroll brackets, the windmill with applied clock face (lacking door) and the reverse engraved with chevron ornament and with applied sails, marked on bowl
9¼ in. (23.5 cm.) high
Weight 5 oz. (183 gr.)

Provenance

Sir Julius Wernher, 1st Bt. (1850-1912), Bath House, London, inv. no. 606 [not mentioned in the 1913 inventory, which skips from no. 604 to no. 607], by whom bequeathed, with a life interest to his widow, Alice, Lady Wernher, subsequently Lady Ludlow (1862-1945), to his son
Sir Harold Wernher, 3rd Bt. (1893-1973), Bath House, London, and from 1948, Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire, and by descent.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Although the maker's mark is poorly struck, the shape of the shield and the inner conforming line is similar to the mark used by the maker of the six-pointed star on a windmill beaker of 1603. His mark, without the conforming line, is also found on three other windmill beakers made in 1587, 1594 and 1598 (see the catalogue of the exhibition, Zilver uit de gouden eeuw van Antwerpen, Antwerp, 1998, nos. 73, 70, 71 and 72 respectively).

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