A Dutch silver marriage casket , probably Jacobus Harmens Raapsvelt, (Leeuwarden), circa 1670

of trunk form, the front engraved with bride and groom, each side engraved with a scene of the amorous couple within cartouches, flanked by scrolling foliage, the reverse engraved with amorous couple amidst a landscape within a cartouche, flanked by scrolling foliage, the domed cover depicting the bride and the groom within an oval amidst scrolling foliage, on four ball supports, swing parcel-gilt silver handle, silver-gilt cast cherub mask thumbpiece, maker's mark only, marked below the base, together with a covering letter of the family

In 17th century upper class and noble families in Friesland, marriage caskets knottekistjes used to be presented by the groom as a gift to the bride. This tradition originated in ancient times when the father of the bride received gifts in exchange of his daughter. In Roman times kettle and shields were donated. Later, coins were given on the occasion of a marriage. Initially, the father profited from this Friesian law. After the abolition of the law the tradition of donating a sum of money was transferred to the bride, who was given a so-called knottedoek, coins knotted into a delicate cloth.

By drawing the knot tighter the future bride confirmed her engagement. Precious knottekistjes, made of silver and finely engraved with marital symbols had the same function, but they appeared in well-to-do circles only. Marriage caskets were also made in West-Friesland and the northern parts of Holland.

Drawing and prints by well-known artists served as sources for the engravings on the silver caskets. Most of the subjects were derived form the Bible or from mythology. Michel le Blon´s engravings were published by Nicolaes Vallet in Secretum Musarum in Amsterdam in 1615. Hans Janssen´s engravings were published by Claes Jansz. Visscher in Amsterdam around 1630. Other engravers whose work has been copied on silverware were Nicolaes de Bruyn (1571-1656) and Jacques Callot (1592-1635).

Silver objects struck with maker´s mark only, were often manufactured in Friesland. Apparently, a master silversmith was allowed to strike his maker´s mark only when he had paid his contribution to the Guild. It is not always possible to identify such a solitary mark. However, this maker´s mark can be attributed to Jacobus Harmens Raapsvelt.