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Lot Essay
Hansje in de kelder (Jack in the basement) tazze were used to announce the birth of a child, the 'Hansje' symbolising the unborn child. The domed section in the centre of the bowl of the present cup is fitted with a float to which a small figure (Hansje) is affixed; when the bowl is filled the figure pops up.
Generally, such tazze were produced during the 17th century in the provinces of Holland, Zeeland, and Friesland. Six examples are known from the town of Dordrecht. They all bear the mark of Jan Hermansz van Ossevoort and share the same type of construction and decoration. The stem seems to be the only part of the cup in which some differences may be found (see catalogue of exhibition, Dordrechts goud en zilver, Dordrecht, 1975, p. 103, no. 14). Ossevoort worked as a silversmith in Dordrecht between 1619 and 1656. His mark is also found on communion beakers. In 1638 he became dean of the Silversmith's Guild. (see B. Molen-den Outer, 'Hansje in de kelder', in: Spiegel Historiael 10, 1975, pp. 114 - 116).
Generally, such tazze were produced during the 17th century in the provinces of Holland, Zeeland, and Friesland. Six examples are known from the town of Dordrecht. They all bear the mark of Jan Hermansz van Ossevoort and share the same type of construction and decoration. The stem seems to be the only part of the cup in which some differences may be found (see catalogue of exhibition, Dordrechts goud en zilver, Dordrecht, 1975, p. 103, no. 14). Ossevoort worked as a silversmith in Dordrecht between 1619 and 1656. His mark is also found on communion beakers. In 1638 he became dean of the Silversmith's Guild. (see B. Molen-den Outer, 'Hansje in de kelder', in: Spiegel Historiael 10, 1975, pp. 114 - 116).