Ornate Dutch Silver Fork and Spoon

[neurorocker]

Both pieces have the same motifs: crowned lion, child, person's face. They are obviously a pair. However, there is something unusual about the marks. The fork is stamped on the back. It has "13", "n", and possibly the word "Germany". The word Germany has been scratched out by force. On the front of the spoon, there is a scene with what looks like a sick person with a doctor. There are words engraved here: recept doct. jon or something like that. I think it is a patient receiving a prescription. So, here's the weird part. On the front of the spoon I found some very small hallmarks. It has a lion with a key and in another location a "Z" (picture 2). These look to be Dutch hallmarks. The Z is 1909 and the lion with key is an export mark. So, why German and Dutch hallmarks. Can anyone tell me about these pieces. I would love to know more as I am unfamiliar with the form. Anyone recognize the maker? Thanks, Nate

[oel]

Hello,

Welcome to the forum.

Very ornate set of serving pieces, 8 inches tall; beef fork or sliced meat serving fork together with a pierced serving spoon for serving sliced meat that needed to be drained before serving.
Serving set to commemorate the birth and baptize of Princess Juliana of the Netherlands. In 1909 our former Queen Juliana or Princess Juliana was born & baptized in the city of Gravenhage (The Hague). The city arms of Gravenhage are the stork and storks deliver babies. The crown and lion are symbols for the Dutch royalty, the girl on a swing symbolic for happy childhood and a dining & drinking scene symbolic for good life and happiness.
The set made for the tourists and Royalty watchers, who visited the city of The Hague, to celebrate the birth and baptize of Holland’s new princess.
The German like marks; 13 and N are pseudo marks in the Hanau style and put on by the Dutch maker; H. Hooijkaas also known as; Fa. (firm) H. Hooijkaas c.v. Schoonhovense Zilverfabriek. I believe you can see his mark, being a capital letter H in a square, at the left side of the tavern scene of the fork. The mark used 1909/1924. One theory for pseudo marks says; pseudo marks put on to pretend/indicate antique silver and thus free of import duty or reduced import duty to be paid.
This particular set made for export; lion passant with the export key for 833/1000 or 83.3% pure silver and date letter Z for 1909, If you look careful you might find the Minerva head assay office mark.


Oel

[neurorocker]

Thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful remarks. This is more or less what I was expecting in terms of the pieces being tourist items. They are so over the top in terms of styling. I definitely am glad to know the maker and to better understand these pseudomarks. As well, thank you for helping me understand the historical context as well as the location! I had noticed the H as well and thought it might be an additional hallmark but I was not certain. Thanks again so much for making these interesting pieces make more sense. I appreciate your time and energy.

Best,
Nate