The Markiezenhof Museum in Bergen op Zoom is gilded with a rare silver showpiece. A pristine seventeenth-century silver tureen has been part of the collection since Wednesday. According to experts, as far as is known, this is the only surviving example from Bergen op Zoom.
“Of course I am proud, not only for the museum but for the whole of Bergen op Zoom. I am happy that we can show something so beautiful that was also made here. It tells us something about the city’s rich past,” says curator Bart van Eekelen.
The silver soup bowl belonged to an unknown, but almost certainly wealthy citizen of the city. The artwork was made by the famous Bergse silversmith Willem Brouwers or one of his sons Jan or Lambertus. After the death of their father in 1701, both took over the silversmith’s shop together with their mother.
“The Brouwers understood their trade.”
The showpiece has beautifully decorated handles in the form of three intertwined loops. It stands out not only for its artistic quality, but also for its large size and weight, which is 700 grams. “The Brouwers understood their trade. They were important to the guild for a long time and they also amassed a lot of wealth themselves,” explains Bart.
At the end of the seventeenth century, following the French example, a tureen was used during breakfast to eat broth with bread. This was often done by noble ladies in the bedroom during the so-called toilet, the extensive washing and dressing ritual.
“The tureen is of inestimable value to the city of Bergen op Zoom.”
The Markiezenhof Museum is on loan for an indefinite period of time. The artwork remains the property of the Mastboom-Brosens Foundation. This art fund supports cultural-historical heritage in West Brabant. Curator Bart van Eekelen prefers not to discuss the value of terrine: “Let’s just say that it is of inestimable value to the city of Bergen op Zoom.”
The silver tureen can be admired in the semi-permanent exhibition ‘Four centuries of silver’ in the Markiezenhof Museum in Bergen op Zoom.