COMPOSED BY WILLEM VAN LAER (1674-1722)

Details

A Dutch book on silver "Weg-Wyzer Voor Aankoomende Goud en Zilversmeden"
Composed by Willem van Laer (1674-1722)
Printed by Frederik Helm, Amsterdam, 1721
15.8 cm high
With a copy of the re-printed edition by B. Dubbe, Lochem, 1967. (2)

Special notice

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Lot Essay

Rare first edition, manual for young gold and silversmiths composed by Willem van Laer, a silversmith from Zwolle. The book teaches all secrets of the trade, describing and depicting the tools, furnaces, etc. One plate showing samples of highly ornate designs for various silver pots and dishes and two of the plates with elaborate lists of gold, silver and copper pieces. With many recipes and trade secrets. The book became very popular and was much in use all through the 18th century. Only two other editions are known, one of 1730 and another of 1768.

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