- 77
A red-brown-tinted diamond-point engraved bottle, attributed to Anna Maria Schurman, late 17th century
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- glass
- 17cm., 6 5/8 in. high
of flattened ovoid form, with moulded vertical twisting ribs, decorated with a fine calligraphic script with the inscription 'Uw gunst myn leven', [Your favour, my life], the bottom of the bottle engraved with the initials AMS or AMVS, perhaps the monogram for Anna Maria van Schurman (1607-1678),
Provenance
The collection of Catharina Louise Henriette Wurfbain (1892 - 1976);
Thence by descent.
Thence by descent.
Literature
RELATED LITERATURE
Pieter C. Ritsema van Eck, Glass in the Rijksmuseum, Zwolle, 1995, Vol. II, pp. 90-92, cat. nos. 71-72;
Frans Smit, Uniquely Dutch seventeenth-century calligraphy on glass, Peterborough, 1989, pp. 25-27.
Pieter C. Ritsema van Eck, Glass in the Rijksmuseum, Zwolle, 1995, Vol. II, pp. 90-92, cat. nos. 71-72;
Frans Smit, Uniquely Dutch seventeenth-century calligraphy on glass, Peterborough, 1989, pp. 25-27.
Condition
In overall good appearance and condition.
To the flattened sides of the bottle there is some surface wear to the exterior of the glass where the moulded ribs protrude, located on each side above the inscription. There is some general scattered faint short scratches to the surface.
There is some dirt to the interior of the bottle and as such would benefit from a light clean.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Anna Maria van Schurman (Cologne 1607-1678 Wieuward)
Schurman was born in Germany and moved in 1615 to Utrecht. Renowned for her intellect and scholarly concerns, she spoke twelve languages and was familiar with philosophy, botany, and medicine. When Utrecht University opened in 1636 she attended lectures and thus became one of the first Dutch women to go to University. She exchanged correspondence with the greatest minds of the day including Christina of Sweden, Constantijn Huygens, Jacob Cats and René Descartes. In different sources she is described as an engraver of glass though only one glass is known to exist with her full signature, which is a green-tinted beaker now in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam published by Ritsema van Eck, op. cit., cat. no. 71.
Until now, only two glasses with the monogram ‘AMS’ were known: one engraved 'Vreede en Vryheid', [Peace and Liberty] in the Rijksmuseum, Inv. N.M. 740; and the other engraved 'Welkomst der Vrinde', [Welcome of Friends] in the Centraal Museum, Utrecht, inv.nr. 7855. This bottle is the third object to be discovered with such a monogram signature.
Provenance of the bottle
The bottle has been in the possession of the Wurfbain family for many decades and, more specifically, it was in possession of Mrs C.L.H. (Catharina Louise Henriette) Wurfbain (1892 - 1976). The Wurfbain family were the former owners of Landgoed Heuven in Rheden. Mr. J.W. Wurfbain (born 1816) already lived near Heuven and bought the property in 1856. Until his death in 1888, he lived in the house dating from 1860. In 1857 his son Mr. Joan Gerard Wurfbain was born, who later married Mrs J.A. Van den Broek. Together they had three children, of whom Catharina Louise Henriette Wurfbain (born 1892) later inherited Landgoed Heuven. She was known as "the Miss". ‘The Miss’ never married, but was a very sophisticated woman. She drove a motorcycle and, in her young years, toured through Africa by car. In 1903 she received a house in Norway as a gift from her father, where she lived from 1939 until her death in 1976. She was buried on the estate at the edge of the pond.
During Catharina's life, the Wurfbain Court Foundation was established. After the demolition of House Heuven in 1940, the most important pieces from the inventory came to the Norwegian House. Since her death the foundation has been used to preserve the estate of Heuven, essentially the core of the estate.
For full catalogue note see Sothebys.com
Schurman was born in Germany and moved in 1615 to Utrecht. Renowned for her intellect and scholarly concerns, she spoke twelve languages and was familiar with philosophy, botany, and medicine. When Utrecht University opened in 1636 she attended lectures and thus became one of the first Dutch women to go to University. She exchanged correspondence with the greatest minds of the day including Christina of Sweden, Constantijn Huygens, Jacob Cats and René Descartes. In different sources she is described as an engraver of glass though only one glass is known to exist with her full signature, which is a green-tinted beaker now in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam published by Ritsema van Eck, op. cit., cat. no. 71.
Until now, only two glasses with the monogram ‘AMS’ were known: one engraved 'Vreede en Vryheid', [Peace and Liberty] in the Rijksmuseum, Inv. N.M. 740; and the other engraved 'Welkomst der Vrinde', [Welcome of Friends] in the Centraal Museum, Utrecht, inv.nr. 7855. This bottle is the third object to be discovered with such a monogram signature.
Provenance of the bottle
The bottle has been in the possession of the Wurfbain family for many decades and, more specifically, it was in possession of Mrs C.L.H. (Catharina Louise Henriette) Wurfbain (1892 - 1976). The Wurfbain family were the former owners of Landgoed Heuven in Rheden. Mr. J.W. Wurfbain (born 1816) already lived near Heuven and bought the property in 1856. Until his death in 1888, he lived in the house dating from 1860. In 1857 his son Mr. Joan Gerard Wurfbain was born, who later married Mrs J.A. Van den Broek. Together they had three children, of whom Catharina Louise Henriette Wurfbain (born 1892) later inherited Landgoed Heuven. She was known as "the Miss". ‘The Miss’ never married, but was a very sophisticated woman. She drove a motorcycle and, in her young years, toured through Africa by car. In 1903 she received a house in Norway as a gift from her father, where she lived from 1939 until her death in 1976. She was buried on the estate at the edge of the pond.
During Catharina's life, the Wurfbain Court Foundation was established. After the demolition of House Heuven in 1940, the most important pieces from the inventory came to the Norwegian House. Since her death the foundation has been used to preserve the estate of Heuven, essentially the core of the estate.
For full catalogue note see Sothebys.com