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| Antique Danish Silver Christening Spoon - St Olaf, Madonna, Anna Selbdritt
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Reference: S1604
Period: Victorian
Year: 1868
Silversmith: Anton Michelson?
Place: Copenhagen
Price: $ 320.00
Weight: 84 grams
Dimensions: 14.8 cm
Condition: Excellent, no dents or scratches.
Description: An antique Danish silver christening spoon, this is a 19th century replica of a 16th century spoon, originally used for Royal coronations. This is a beautiful spoon, extremely good quality, it has a lovely feel. The circular bowl is engraved in traditional style, the gilded front with Madonna holding 2 babies, one with a crown, and surrounded by traditional religious inscription in ancient Scandinavian (translation assistance would be most welcome!). The back of the bowl is engraved with St Olaf of Norway, holding battleaxe and orb, standing on a lion with crowned head, also surrounded by inscription. The cast handle of the spoon is very decorative, a head above a warrior with sword, above traditional implements (thor hammer, hand). The back of the handle has an attractive celtic design. The hallmarks include makers mark A.M (possible Anton Michelson?), the Copenhagen town mark (3 towers), date letter for 1868, and assay masters mark SG for Simon Groth, who worked between 1863 and 1904. Wayne Bednersh, author of "Collectible Souvenir Spoons", depicts similar spoons (pg 29), Book II, (also shown on the website www.spoonplanet.com/norbap). He describes these spoons as "very spectacular in terms of workmanship", and "are amongst the highest quality silversmithing I have ever encountered". He depicts a very similar spoon, with the same Madonna and St Olaf as this spoon, his is dated 1874. Note - We now believe the front of the bowl is the Virgin Mary holding Jesus Christ and the assassinated King Canute IV. The inscription is translated as "All is as God wills it". The reverse is Norse king Olaf II Haraldsson 995-29 Jul 1030. The battle ax Saint Olaf is holding as the patron Saint of Norway is a symbol of his martyrdom. (ref http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29732). Note 2 - An article featuring 2 very similar spoons has been published by Silver Magazine June 2018, page 40-42, by Robert Wilhelm, the article identifies the female figure as Saint Anne holding Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, St Anne is Mary's mother. It also points to the symbolism of St Olaf triumphing his elder brother, Canute IV. Note 3 - We have seen a similar example in a German auction, this one by Schleissner of Hanau, where the the female figure is described as "Anna Selbdritt" (Saint Anne with daughter Mary and baby Jesus), the reverse as "Drachentoter" (dragon slayer), they describe the spoon as a medicine spoon.
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antique danish silver christening spoon
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Front of spoon - Madonna
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Back of spoon - St Olaf
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Detail of handle
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Gilded silver bowl - Madonna
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Hallmarks - danish silver
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Scale
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