Antique Danish Silver Goblet (ceremonial)

[miriw]

Hi, I have this heirloom silver goblet in my family for many years. We have a tradition as to when the goblet was purchased (1839). A silver smith identified the first two marks as from Denmark (the famous "three tower" mark) and the year 39, and the Assay mark M from the man in charge in 1839. We can't seem to identify the maker, however. It depicts the letters "RB" and then a woman holding some kind of object.
If someone could help us identify who the maker was, I would be most grateful. Additionally, I would like to know if it is possible that the records of the firm of the silver smith who made this object still exist. We would love to see who actually commissioned this wonderful goblet for one of our family's distinguished members.

[Hose_dk]

Rasmus Jørgensen Brock born in Grenå (jutland) 1770 approx.
Gets citienship march 4th 1801 he dies 1843
woman is monthmark for august 21st untill september 23rd. So it is made during that month in 1839.
Guardein Mølller

[miriw]

Thank you so much for your speedy reply.
Was this silver smith considered a premier artist in his day? Did he work for a firm, or on his own. Does anyone continue his legacy in our times?
Thanks.

[Hose_dk]

Was this silver smith considered a premier artist in his day?
Did he work for a firm, or on his own.
Does anyone continue his legacy in our times?

No
On his own business - citienship means that he established himself as a merchant, or other business - in this case as a Silversmith
No

The book list a lot of known silver from his hand. It does not say how many people he employed.
At the pictures you see Table silver continued at picture two. Then Church silver and finely Laugs silver (Guild silver) I would say that the list is very long. But part of that is the timeframe. Dead 1843 that is close to our times, so the silver has survied.
A silversmith fra 1740/1750 their silver has been recycled when it later came out of facion.

[miriw]

I really appreciate your knowledgeable insights and information. It helped me a lot to know a little more about my silver heirloom.

Best regards,
MW

[Hose_dk]

when I say that he was not considered unique it does not mean that he was not skilled. I just means that he was one of hundreds and hundreds of silversmith in Denmark. The book contains many thousends that worked during the time periods. You had similar numbers in norway and in sweden. Standard was generaly high. But I have pieces of silver where famous masters - well they have not made masterpieces. So they also skipped where possible.
But generally the products are of high quality. Same with your piece and you have proviens - that is very importent.
To become a master one had to work for a smith with citienship for a number of years. Then you had to travel leave home to go to another country for say 3 years - then work for a smith and when you had enough money you could ask to give a masterpiece. That piece was controlled by the guild and after beginning 1800 it was the Akademi - that should aprove your drawings, when they were acceppted you should make the piece - then that had to be controlled.
And then one could establish oneself - get married - often marrying a vidow of a silversmith. And then become master.
Was your father a skilled smidt the process was so much more easy. well its a long and complex story.

[Trevorwin]

Have started to interest in Antique Danish Silver some months ago and have heard about Rasmus Jørgensen Brock a little.Thanks for sharing the information about him and his works!!