The Netherlands (also referred to as Holland) has played an important role in the development of the silversmith's art. Dutch silversmith's were influenced and influenced other European countries during the period between the mid- 16th century and the 19th century .The Dutch  craftsman showed a remarkable creativeness and versatility without ever moving far from the ethos of Dutch art. Both England and America were strongly influenced in the 17th century by emigrant Dutch silversmiths.

(Born from Dutch parents, Cornelius Van der Burgh was New York's first native born silversmith, and most probably America's first native born silversmith. He is known to have been working from 1685 to 1695)

After 1700 here was a noticeable shifting in the importance of the centres of silver production.   Prosperous towns like Enkhuizen, Hoorn and Alkmaar were declining rapidly. Admittedly much admirable silver was made in towns like Groningen throughout the 18th century. Also other towns took their places such as Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Zutphen, Meppel and of course the towns of the Friesland province. As many towns they had their own guild of silversmiths.

Peculiar to Friesland were the brandy-bowls and the brandy spoons with a short S-shaped handle.

Amsterdam silversmiths were the most original and least effected by foreign fancies. Their productions reflect the wealthy merchants who wanted to have something to show for their money.

From the late 17th century onwards Amsterdam masters started to make miniatures in silver. These were made in great skill and in many different ways.  Miniatures copies of everyday wares .A wide range was covered and included diverse objects as kettles, teapots, coffee pots, dishes, trays etc. They were copied carefully from full-size examples of that period.

In The Netherlands we usually call them " miniatuur zilver "or "poppengoed " Also the term  "étagère zilver " is sometimes being  used . Artists and silversmiths have always been fascinated by miniature objects and objects of scale. Until the middle of the seventeenth century miniature silver was only made to order and only by people of the highest nobility. Just for their children to play in their dollhouses. It is known that at the beginning of the 17th Century Maria de Medici gave her son Louis XIII of France some silver toys as a present.

However most of the silver miniatures were not intended for children but more served as a pastime for the wives of very rich merchants.Besides copies of every day wares  also other themes were gradually taken up in Holland such as scenes from the lives of the children and adults, all kinds of figurative and religious presentations, windmills, sailing ships, professions, chairs, tables, carriages and coaches.

During this time more than 40 Amsterdam silversmiths were working making silver miniatures. Names like Arnoldus van Geffen, Jan Borduur, and families like van Somerwil  and van Strant  are very famous . Besides Amsterdam also productions took place in Northern province of Friesland with towns like  Sneek, Bolsward, Franeker and Harlingen. The Frisian silversmiths had been known for their nautilus and windmill cups for instance.

During the 18thand 19th century Dutch merchants and silversmiths also started to sell their miniatures abroad .There was a great demand for Dutch silver in England .Many miniatures have been made in Holland directly for the English market. On some of our miniatures you can still see the English import marks (F) and the original Dutch marks.

Over the years the number of models, forms and representations increased to a large extend. Spinning wheels, lamp lighters, horse drawn carriages, street musicians, foot stoves, pipe racks etc are giving an insight into the way people lived in the old days.

Only a proportion bear marks as they were so small as to have space for only a single stamp. Besides they were too light in weight to require more by law. Articles below a certain weight (ca 120 grams) were often exempted from assay.

Unfortunately at the present time you can hardly find any production of this tradition. Labour became too expensive and many silverware factories closed their business doors at the end of the last Century.

Maybe interesting for collectors is the fact that silver miniatures happens to be a good investment for the future. Prices are increasing simply because the market is giving less and less offers.

Just recently I have seen an article in a Dutch magazine "Beleggers Belangen " ( a magazine for stock and bonds investors)  telling a spectacular price increase of miniatures since the last 10 years. At a recent Dutch Antique Fair , the  18th Century miniatures were selling  at Euro 4000 per piece.10 years  ago these pieces were priced less than Euro 1500. It's writing "it looks like if they increase in price monthly"