Trying to find the maker associated with this Dutch mark

[susan obrien]

This spoon bears the engraving (in Dutch) saying "in remembrance P.T. Piersma born in Deersum 24 June 1873". This is in reference to my great-grandfather. I can ascertain that the spoon was made in 1827 from the script "S" (it is upside down in relation to the makers mark) and that it is 2nd standard purity from the Lion Passant mark. I cannot discern which letter was on the Minerva's helmet unfortunately. But I'd love to find out who "RF" was from the makers mark. I cannot locate that combination of initials anywhere. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I can provide more photos of the whole spoon if needed. Thank you!

[oel]

Hi Susan, welcome to the forum. Yes please show the whole spoon and all marks.
The maker's mark RF under crown, in rectangle for; Rudolphus Jacobs Feenstra, registered in the Frisian city of Sneek during 1810-1845.
Rudolphus used 10 marks in his lifetime, al variations of his initials RF and a crown.
RUDOLPHUS JACOBS FEENSTRA, born in Sneek 7-20-1783, died in Sneek 11-10-1875, master silver & gold smith (10-9-1810), registered during the French period/Kingdom of Holland(1806-1810).

Pieter T(Tjeerds). Piersma
https://www.openarchieven.nl/frl:8cd947 ... 31cb83f/nl

Peter.

Source; Waarborgholland, ˜Netherlands' Responsibility Marks since 1797, W. Koonings De keuring van goud en zilver tijdens het Koninkrijk Holland

[susan obrien]

Thank you so very much for the quick reply and for providing so much information about the maker as well as adding the website with even more information! I am so excited to be able to add all this history to this spoon and my family will be equally excited to learn about it as well. Here are other photos of the spoon (it is large at 8.5 inches in length) and the other marks on it. I truly appreciate your time in replying to me!

[susan obrien]

Here is a close up of the mother and children.

[oel]

Thanks, your welcome.
Typical Frisian ornamental birth or memorial spoon. The spoon's stem finial, a female figure with two children for the personification of Love. Like the divine love of a mother for her children. Perhaps the mother is holding a loaf of bread in her right hand.
https://www.alimentarium.org/en/fact-sh ... e%20crowds.
Left of the mother, above the child holding mother's skirt, we see the Horn of Plenty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornucopia
The handle of the spoon is made from a flat silver sheet, decorated with engravings.

Peter.

Source; Friese zilveren sierlepels uit de achttiende eeuw, Jan Schipper

[susan obrien]

Again, I must thank you so much, Peter! I am so very pleased to have this information to be able to keep with this spoon so future generations will know more about it. I appreciate you taking the time to give me so much information!

Susan