A Dutch silver bible lectern, Gerrit van der Bergh, Zwolle, 1707

openwork, silver fitted and overlaid-wood carcass embossed with Holy monogram IHS, and including armorials in embossed foliage on matting, inscribed Maria Van Aken, fluted ball supports, fully marked twice

Maria Van Aken (buried before 1722 in the Bethlehem Kirke, Zwolle)

Purchased by the present owner at Christies New York, Important English and Continental silver, 11 February 1982, lot 199, The property of a collector from New York State

Opus Sacrum, catalogue of the exhibition from the collection of Barbara Piasecka Johnson, Royal Castle in Warsaw, Warsaw, 1990, no. 71, where it is dated in error to 1726

B. Dubbe, Zwols zilver, Het Zwolse goud- en zilversmidsambacht en zijn meesters, Zwolle, 1999. p. 107

 

Marks clear, one foot loose on its screw, some strenthening under two feet, some pins lacking, litte repairs scratches dents etc, but basically in relatively good condition commensurate with age, engraved ornament on the book rest somewhat worn, embossed ornament still pretty crisp, nice piece.
"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."

The armorials at either end of the lectern are those of Van Doetinchem.

The silversmith Gerrit van der Bergh, whose working dates were 1692-1715 is recorded by B. Dubbe et al. in Exhibition catalogue, Glans langs de Ijssel, zilver uit Zutphen, Deventer, Zwolle en Kampen, Zwolle, Sept.-Aug. 1999, p. 180.

The lectern is recorded in Zwols zilver... (see literature) where the authors date it to 1693 not 1707 on a reading of the date mark as a B not a Q.

A pair of Altar candlesticks with the same Van Doetinchem family armorials made `in the second half of the 17th century' by the Zwolle Goldsmith Derck Lambersen Bergh is recorded in the above mentioned exhibition catalogue p. 90. While no connection has yet been made between the families Van Aken and Van Doetinchem it is interesting to note the candlesticks have the initials VA in addition to the van Doetinchem arms.