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Lot Essay
The present spoon, in Dutch auricular style, is the only known American example that includes a figural terminal. The other known Dutch auricular examples, all from New York, have either a scroll, maidenhead, or hoof terminal. The Boelen family of silversmiths seem to have specialized in these ceremonial spoons, used in New York as in the Netherlands to commemorate births, marriages, and deaths.
Jacob Boelen, father of Henricus, made an example with a scroll terminal, sold at Sotheby's, January 30, 1991, lot 152. Two auricular spoons with maidenhead terminals by Henricus Boelen were discovered recently; the first sold at Sotheby's, January 16, 1997, lot 103, the second at Christie's, June 17, 1997, lot 38.
Auricular-handled spoons with figural terminals were made in the Netherlands from the mid-17th century through the 18th century. The figure of Charity on the present example derives from the Dutch love of emblems, and an example with an allegorical figure of Hope made in Amsterdam is in the collection of the Rijksmuseum (illustrated here).
CAPTION: Dutch Silver Tablespoon, by Andries Visch, Amsterdam, 1773 Courtesy Rijksmuseum
Jacob Boelen, father of Henricus, made an example with a scroll terminal, sold at Sotheby's, January 30, 1991, lot 152. Two auricular spoons with maidenhead terminals by Henricus Boelen were discovered recently; the first sold at Sotheby's, January 16, 1997, lot 103, the second at Christie's, June 17, 1997, lot 38.
Auricular-handled spoons with figural terminals were made in the Netherlands from the mid-17th century through the 18th century. The figure of Charity on the present example derives from the Dutch love of emblems, and an example with an allegorical figure of Hope made in Amsterdam is in the collection of the Rijksmuseum (illustrated here).
CAPTION: Dutch Silver Tablespoon, by Andries Visch, Amsterdam, 1773 Courtesy Rijksmuseum