A mid-17th century Norwegian silver twin handled bowl, Trondheim dated 1656 by Erich Olsen (active circa 1656-1672)

A mid-17th century Norwegian silver twin handled bowl, Trondheim dated 1656 by Erich Olsen (active circa 1656-1672)

Of hemispherical form with a caulked rim with an incised edge, all raised on three ball pomegranate feet with quatrefoil junctions. The cast and applied twin C scroll handles with cherub mask thumbpieces. Engraved to the side with a shield shaped cartouche with scroll mantle the initial IGP in cypher, probably a guild mark, the shield flanked by the initials I.C.P and K.ID. all above the date 1656. The obverse side with engraved initials CAS – KID and 1660. Makers mark underneath.

Length – 21.5 cm / 8.5 inches

Weight – 350 grams / 11.25 ozt

Another marriage porringer or bowl of the same form, retaining its three footed lid, dated 1670 by the same maker is illustrated Polak. A. (1972), Norwegian Silver, Oslo: Dreyers Forlag, p.44.

On discussing the similarity between tankards by Olsen and Jan Reimers of Bergen, Krohn-Hansen noted “[t]hese similarities can only be due to the fact that this is a direct dependency relationship, e.g. that Erich Olsen has worked as a journeyman for Jan Reimers before he approx. 1656 comes to Trondhjem. Chronologically, this fits perfectly." Thv. Krohn-Hansen (1963), Trondhjems Gullsmedkunst 1550-1850, Oslo, p. 55-56.