.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The wine cooler was the centrepiece in noblemen and rich merchants' homes and as such often heads household inventories.
THE VAN WASSENAER
Arent van Wassenaer (1669–1721) was a Dutch nobleman and diplomat from one of the oldest noble houses in the Netherlands. Born in The Hague, he was the son of Jacob van Wassenaer, Baron of Duivenvoorde, and Jacoba van Liere. In 1701, he married Anna Margaretha Bentinck, daughter of Hans William Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland, and Anne Villiers. The couple had four children: Jacob Jan Brilanus van Wassenaer (1703-1717), Anna Sophia van Wassenaer (1706–1730), Jacoba Maria van Wassenaer van Duvenvoorde (1709–1771) who inherited the wine cooler and Louisa Isabella Hermelina van Wassenaer (1719–1756).
Arent held several noble titles, including Lord of Voorschoten and Duivenvoorde in the United Provinces, and Baron van Wassenaer in the Holy Roman Empire. He also served as an ambassador for the States General to Britain, proving his active role in Dutch diplomacy and his close connection with the British monarchs and court.
AN ANGLO-DUTCH GOLDSMITH
Adam Loofs (circa 1645–1710), the maker of this wine cooler, was a Dutch protestant born circa 1645 probably in Amsterdam. He is thought to have apprenticed in the mid-1660s, in Paris with Jean Frère, a Huguenot goldsmith who came from Metz. He is certainly recorded in Paris in 1670 as one of two elders of the Dutch embassy with Pierre Gole, ébéniste to Louis XIV. In 1680 he returned to the Netherlands with the Paris made silver furniture commissioned by William III's new wife Mary Stuart. It prompted his appointment as “ordinary gold- and silversmith and keeper of plate” to the king. This new position gave him access to a rich English clientele, which further expanded after he joined the new King in England.
Although many of Loofs' surviving work reflect a strong French stylistic influence evident in the tureen dated 1701 and engraved with the arms of Arnold Joost van Keppel, Earl of Albermarle now in the Kunstmuseum Den Haag (no. 1001162); he also produced objects that were quintessentially Dutch in their shape and design whether be it this wine cooler or the pair of candlesticks dated 1687 now in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam (no. BK-1966-10) or the pair of flagons in the collection of the 1st Earl of Portland (1649-1709), Baron Bentinck of Diepenheim and Schoonheten, the Dutch born friend and favourite of William III.
THE ENGLISH CONNECTION
Hans William Bentinck (1649-1709) was born in Diepenheim, the son of Bernard, Baron Bentinck. He was appointed First Page of Honour to Prince William and nursed him when he caught smallpox. This started their friendship. In 1677 he was sent to England to ask James, Duke of York the hand of his daughter, Mary, for Prince William. Thereafter he visited England regularly on William's behalf. He later became Groom of the Stole, First Gentleman of the Bedchamber and a Privy Councillor, and after 1689 became Earl of Portland. However in 1699 he resigned all his offices jealous of the rising influence of Arnold van Keppel and of his unpopularity as a foreigner in England. Nonetheless he remained in England and retired to his residence Bulstrode Park in Buckinghamshire. Over the years he acquired a significant silver collection many by Dutch silversmiths including Adam Loofs.
It seems therefore logical that Arent van Wassenear was aware of Adam Loofs as the King and his court's goldsmith and that he should be advised by his father-in-law to commission this wine cooler from the favourite Anglo-Dutch goldsmith Adam Loofs.
THE VAN WASSENAER
Arent van Wassenaer (1669–1721) was a Dutch nobleman and diplomat from one of the oldest noble houses in the Netherlands. Born in The Hague, he was the son of Jacob van Wassenaer, Baron of Duivenvoorde, and Jacoba van Liere. In 1701, he married Anna Margaretha Bentinck, daughter of Hans William Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland, and Anne Villiers. The couple had four children: Jacob Jan Brilanus van Wassenaer (1703-1717), Anna Sophia van Wassenaer (1706–1730), Jacoba Maria van Wassenaer van Duvenvoorde (1709–1771) who inherited the wine cooler and Louisa Isabella Hermelina van Wassenaer (1719–1756).
Arent held several noble titles, including Lord of Voorschoten and Duivenvoorde in the United Provinces, and Baron van Wassenaer in the Holy Roman Empire. He also served as an ambassador for the States General to Britain, proving his active role in Dutch diplomacy and his close connection with the British monarchs and court.
AN ANGLO-DUTCH GOLDSMITH
Adam Loofs (circa 1645–1710), the maker of this wine cooler, was a Dutch protestant born circa 1645 probably in Amsterdam. He is thought to have apprenticed in the mid-1660s, in Paris with Jean Frère, a Huguenot goldsmith who came from Metz. He is certainly recorded in Paris in 1670 as one of two elders of the Dutch embassy with Pierre Gole, ébéniste to Louis XIV. In 1680 he returned to the Netherlands with the Paris made silver furniture commissioned by William III's new wife Mary Stuart. It prompted his appointment as “ordinary gold- and silversmith and keeper of plate” to the king. This new position gave him access to a rich English clientele, which further expanded after he joined the new King in England.
Although many of Loofs' surviving work reflect a strong French stylistic influence evident in the tureen dated 1701 and engraved with the arms of Arnold Joost van Keppel, Earl of Albermarle now in the Kunstmuseum Den Haag (no. 1001162); he also produced objects that were quintessentially Dutch in their shape and design whether be it this wine cooler or the pair of candlesticks dated 1687 now in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam (no. BK-1966-10) or the pair of flagons in the collection of the 1st Earl of Portland (1649-1709), Baron Bentinck of Diepenheim and Schoonheten, the Dutch born friend and favourite of William III.
THE ENGLISH CONNECTION
Hans William Bentinck (1649-1709) was born in Diepenheim, the son of Bernard, Baron Bentinck. He was appointed First Page of Honour to Prince William and nursed him when he caught smallpox. This started their friendship. In 1677 he was sent to England to ask James, Duke of York the hand of his daughter, Mary, for Prince William. Thereafter he visited England regularly on William's behalf. He later became Groom of the Stole, First Gentleman of the Bedchamber and a Privy Councillor, and after 1689 became Earl of Portland. However in 1699 he resigned all his offices jealous of the rising influence of Arnold van Keppel and of his unpopularity as a foreigner in England. Nonetheless he remained in England and retired to his residence Bulstrode Park in Buckinghamshire. Over the years he acquired a significant silver collection many by Dutch silversmiths including Adam Loofs.
It seems therefore logical that Arent van Wassenear was aware of Adam Loofs as the King and his court's goldsmith and that he should be advised by his father-in-law to commission this wine cooler from the favourite Anglo-Dutch goldsmith Adam Loofs.