APPARENTLY UNMARKED, THE NETHERLANDS, 16TH CENTURY

Details

A Dutch silver "Koningsvogel"
Apparently unmarked, The Netherlands, 16th Century
Shaped as a parrot facing left wearing a crown, one eye inlaid with a green stone, one wing up, the bird sitting with his two paws on a branch, a chain attached to a band around his neck and the tail
13 cm. long
96 gr.

Special notice

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

Every year the citizen soldiery organizes shooting-matches ("koningsschieten") for their members. During these contests a popinjay is attached to a pole. This popinjay needs to be shot from the pole with a hand/low-bow, cross-bow or gun. The person who succeeds is proclaimed as King. He chooses a Queen and gets a chain with attached distinguishing badges. The King has to tribute his own shield to the chain with his name, place and date of the contest (see lot 235 in this sale). At the end of the chain ("koningsketen") a "koningsvogel" (a bird/parrot) is attached. The chain with everything attached remains the property of the citizen soldiery and buys the chain back for a symbolic amount. Sometimes the King receives an engraved beaker in return.

We would like to thank Mr S. Fuks for his information on this lot.

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