Dutch silver miniature tea caddy.
Maker's mark W for Wessel Jansen, registered Amsterdam during 1642-1696. Width 3 cm, depth 2.7 cm, height 3.5 cm. Weight 20.2 gram.
At bottom caddy, maker's mark twice.
In Amsterdam, during the 17th century, silver miniatures, low in weight and of first or second standard silver, were not or hardly assayed. Often without a maker's mark. Around the second half of the 17th century, the silver miniatures often have a double maker's mark only. Between circa 1696 and 1734, silver miniatures, 1st or 2nd standard silver, were provided with a maker's mark and a city hallmark, without a year letter. Probably the year letter not struck to prevent fraudulent activity.
Wessel Jansen, silversmith, Amsterdam 1642-1696, born Schwehrde (Westphalia), reformed municipality, son of Jan and ? He married a few times, in 1639 on the Egelantiergracht with Trijntje Barents, in 1642 he became a silversmith, and in 1648 he married on the Egelantiergracht with Marritje Jans, Wessel Jansen died on the Egelantiergracht in 1696, burial on November 29, 1696 . He made small silverware, and toymaker
Wessel Jansen's mark as shown in book; Tall and Small antique Dutch silver miniatures A. Aardewerk Antiquary Juwelier page 274
The marks bottom tea caddy
Various variations of Wessel Jansen his maker's mark W, as seen on other miniatures
Here we also see the city hallmark of Leiden, single key (beard facing right) for silver 2nd standard, here without attached year letter
Details of tea caddy
The box has a small eye on the hinge of the lid. This had a small ring to hang the tea caddy against the wall of a doll's house. Although it stands on three ball feet, it could fall over when playing or opening the lid.
Mark on handle;
The Boars head or the 1831 duty mark, this mark is of two sizes. It did not give any guarantee on precious metal content. It has been used as a duty mark on metal with a gold or silver content of 250 minimum. This mark was destined for all imported, unmarked and invalid marked objects of foreign, national and unknown origin. The big sized Boars head used 1831-1855 and the small Boars head used 1831-1893
The marks at rim of the box.
Crowned O, duty mark 1807, ZII for import/duty mark for objects which are submitted in finished condition, which consequently could then not be assayed as thoroughly, used 1953-2002 and boars head duty mark used 1831-1893. NB on 5-9-2023, the caddy was tested by use of a XRF spectrometer ( by Klumpers Goud en diamanthandel https://klumpers.nl/) silver content 968/000.
https://www.centraalmuseum.nl/nl/collec ... sel-jansen
https://www.lakenhal.nl/en/collection/8410
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/collectie/BK-NM-11177-13
https://www.aardewerk.com/nl/miniaturen ... eerzolder/
Source and Literature: Amsterdamse zilversmeden en hun merken, K.A. Citroen, page 175
Tall & Small, Antique Dutch Silver Miniatures, 2012. Page 165 cat nr. 386 Tea caddy c. 1690 Lodewijk Eylof H 5.9 cm W 64 gr
Peter.