Silver horse hoof spoon with shell bowl, the Netherlands,
Unmarked: Silver grade is probably, the Netherlands, Silver in combination with another material, does not have a warranty markThe bowl of the spoon was carved from from a tiger-or cowrie shell (Cypraea tigris)Literature: E. M. Ch. F. Klijn, ‘Eet- en sierlepels in Nederland tot ca. ’, pag. 88 and pag 98 picture 108 and 108a.Kadam writes the following about a similar spoon:"Een heel bijzonder exemplaar heeft een steel van zilver en een bak die van een tropische schelp gemaakt is.Waarschijnlijk moeten wij dit als een soort reissouvenir zien zoals in de zeventiende en achttiende eeuw wel meer van allerlei exotische naturalia werd samengesteld.De diepte van bak en de niet al te stevige verbinding tussen bak en steel maken van deze lepel een typisch siervoorwerp, dat hoogstens gebruikt kon worden om incidenteel uit te drinken of te slurpen."(English: A very special piece, which has a silver stem and a bowl made of a tropical shell.We should probably see this as a kind of travel souvenir.In the seventeenth and eighteenth century many exotic natural pieces were put together.The depth of of the bowl and the not-too-solid connection between the bowl and the stem makethis spoon a typical ornamental object, which at most could be used occasionally to drink or slurp from.)(see photo 9 and 10)Length 10.4 cm Width of bowl 3.6 cmWeight 10 grams.The shell has a small bit of damage and the connection between bowl and stem is a little loose. The top edge of the bowl is not worn and has the natural shape of the shell. For a spoon of this age, it is in excellent condition.Will be carefully packed and sent by registered/insured mail with track and trace. Read More