A SILVER WEDDING BOX AND SILVER SEWING ETUI, UNMARKED, PROBABLY DUTCH, FIRST HALF OF THE 17TH CENTURY |

former rectangular, hinged cover, engraved and chased with putto, parrots, flowers and scrolls on matting, elaborate hinge mounts; the scissor's etui pierced with scrolling foliage, body and pull-off cover with belt mounts, containing a pair of scissors, a knife and a probe, all implements with steel blades

Box with a little wear some small dents and tiny repair to hinge; Etui with minor dents. Both overall in good condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An identical box is illustrated in J.W Fredericks, Dutch Silver..., The Hague, 1958, vol. II, p. 56 no. 186. Fredericks compares the box to a pomander, a book cover and a plaquette (187-189), which he considers to be by the same hand and writes: 'It is not quite certain that the maker of these objects was Dutch. As the book cover was probably made by an Amsterdam silversmith (it contains the psalms of David, printed in Amsterdam in 1638), whose style closely resembles that of van Hecken (Abraham van de Hecken, Amsterdam goldsmith active 1608-after 1634), we suppose that the four pieces are made by one of Van de Hecken's pupils who was as his master, gifted with an extraordinary sense of ornament.' A hexagonal salt with similar engraved ornament to the box, which was also compared by Fredericks with Van Hecken's work, hallmarked in the town of Frankenthal in Germany was sold Sothebys London, 1 November 2017, lot 711. Frankenthal received an important influx of Netherlandish craftsmen, due to religious persecution, towards the end of the 16th century