MARK OF WIJNAND WARNEKE, AMSTERDAM, 1770, ALSO STRUCK WITH LATER DUTCH DUTY MARK OF 1795 FOR AMSTERDAM

Details

A Dutch silver sweetmeat wedding-basket "bruidsuikermandje"
Mark of Wijnand Warneke, Amsterdam, 1770, also struck with later Dutch duty mark of 1795 for Amsterdam
The shaped oval basket on four scroll and foliate feet, the openwork body pierced with flowers and scrolling foliage (repairs), the scroll rim alternated with four flower ornaments, two shaped handles with foliage and flowers, detachable four compartment division centred by a bunch of flowers and foliage, marked on base
18.9 cm long
332 gr.

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve and will be sold to the highest bidder. Christie's charges a Buyer's premium calculated at 23.205% of the hammer price for each lot with a value up to €110,000. If the hammer price of a lot exceeds €110,000 then the premium for the lot is calculated at 23.205% of the first €110,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of €110,000. Buyer's Premium is calculated on this basis for each lot individually.

Lot Essay

Serving sweetmeat at engagement parties and weddings began during the 17th Century. Almonds were soaked for twenty-four hours, sugared and mixed with rose-water and finely cooked. Today these and other kinds of sweets are still served as wedding sweets.

In the second half of the 18th Century a special sweetmeat wedding-basket appeared. The basket was fitted with a centrepiece which divided the basket in two or four separated areas, which prevented mixing of the different wedding sweetmeats. The decoration of the centrepieces vary, they typically include designs of flowers, birds or column's. The centrepiece was removable enabeling the basket to be used for other purposes after the wedding.

More from THE COLLECTION OF THE LATE MRS DOODEHEEFVER-TOONEN

View All