Hello
Maybe my following rough translation from Dutch to English could help, to understand an informative text, found by Hose_dk:
http://www.veenkoloniaalmuseum.nl/Kapit ... JV2004.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you like to see their collection of spoons, then please visit above mentioned link.
»
Jaarverslag 2004 Kapiteinshuis Pekela/Stichting Westers«, p. 8-16.
(Annual Report 2004 of Captains House in Pekela / Westers Foundation«
Author: Dr. A. Westers; p. 8-16).
Roughly translation of p. 8:
»
Baltic Sea Spoons in the collection of the Captains House of Pekela [in Frisian Prov. Groningen, The Netherlands].«
In the middle of 18 century it became usual by many Sea Transport Company’s and Trade firms, who were active in the area of German and Russian harbours of the Baltic Sea — from Stettin [then Pomeranian, Germany] until St. Petersburg [Russia], to give to Captains, who became responsible for their sea freight, a spoon as present. Considering that the locally existing fleets in these harbours weren’t ever sufficient in transport capacity, for all from inland areas delivered products, like grain and wood; for to be transported to other European harbours, it was necessary to use additional capacities of other North European ships. The hundreds of cutter, brigs, and schooner of the Groninger peaty colonies were there necessary on the end of 18 century and during the whole 19 century for transport of these entire mercenary’s.
For to get close connections and relations, to tie these transporters, local ship-transport-broker (»Schiffsmäkler«), ship-accountants (»Schiffs-Abrechner«), ship-agents (»Schiffs-Agenten«), or transport loader’s (»Cargadoors«), gave as a present a spoon, made from a local silversmith [who most times made also the engravings in the conventual’s form, or most often by prick-engraving]. These Baltic Sea spoons are identified by the engraved [or pricked] name of the above mentioned; [not ever] combined by harbour town’s name, and year of gift; almost engraved [or pricked] on the backside of spoon’s handle.
Until yet doesn’t exist an totally cleared and reliable answer on the question of history: During which occasion was the spoon given? There are only a few occasions be reported. So reports a son of a trader from Danzig, who in 1852 his father’s busyness has taken over, that around that time period, old trade related customs were still common. Each incoming shipper got a glass of Madeira as welcome. When he made his farewell, before he leaved the harbour with his ship be freighted, then he has got a silver spoon of remembering or souvenir (cited from: Wolfgang Rudolph, “Das Schiff als Zeichen” [The Ship as Sign], Leipzig 1987, p. 133). A resident of Papenburg [Ostfrisian part of Germany, near the Dollart bay] wrote, that these spoons were exchanged, as a hand over of trust, from ship-owner to the captain as sign of agreed transport contract (cited from: “Festschrift zur Goldenen Hochzeit der Eheleute Theodor Brockmann und Frau Cathinka geb. Jongebloed zu Papenburg.” [Commemorative of Golden Wedding Anniversary of Married Couple Theodor Brockmann [[chunk man]] and his Wife Cathinka [[Catherine]] born Jongebloed [[young blood]]. Papenburg 1920, p. 81, cited in: “Papenburger Blätter” [[Papenburger Papers]], Heimat- und Verkehrsverein [[local heritage association]] Papenburg Nr. 5, 1/1984).
A resident of Marstal, on the Danish island Ærø, who had in his childhood the possibility to take part of these commercial travels, was told from his mother, that her father has got this kind of spoons hand-over on occasions, his ship was in Königsberg taking freight on board (cited from: Kaj Johansen, “Registrering af skipperskeer” [Register of shipper spoons] in “Marstal Søffartsmuseum Ã…rsberetning 1992” [Marstal Maritime Museum — Annual Report 1992]. This last cited report let’s take as conclusion, that the shipper’s [or captain’s] after some, in conformity with requirements of the load contractor’s [successful] journeys, then there fore has got presented a spoon.
Baltic Sea spoons existent in Captain’s houses, most times of some examples, in the Veenkolonie [e.g. in Pekela] were often used. These spoons have most times visible signs of wear and tear; the bowl’s of these spoons are worn, or a little bit frayed around the edges.
Also they were bound together with a red ribbon; and then after, for reason of representations, placed in a cabinet for linen, for to could show family’s wealthy ness. There be placed to their hymnal with silver mountings, and next to their other little boxes of silver.
Roughly translation of p. 15:
If not otherwise described, spoons [of this collection] have pointed tips of bowls, and handles as well.
“Cut steel” [cut handle] signification, is a from English silver influenced form; by facet’s formed decorative edges.
"lofje" = Drop, reinforcement under spoon’s bowl, in area of connection to the handle, where these two parts are mounted together.
Assay proof line, a zigzag line, result of removing by engraving a little amount of silver; witch the Assayer use to proof the fineness of silver from that spoon.
12 (Lot, or Loth), indication mark for the fineness of silver
My thanks are presented to
Mrs. Barbara Tucholka-Wlodarska, scientific member of the »
Muzeum Narodowe Gdansk«, in Gdansk [Poland], for
identification of marks from master silversmiths of Danzig.
For the identification of marks from master silversmiths, of eastern harbour towns of the Baltic Sea area, it was used the guide of Dr.
Annelore Leistikow, »Baltisches Silber« [Baltic Silver], Verlag Nordostdeutsches Kulturwerk [Publisher Work of North East German Culture], Lüneburg [Germany]
1996.
Photos by Jos Lange, Groningen: Nr. 6, 10-12, 17, 34, 42.
A. Westers [Author and Founder]
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Kind regards silverport
.
