SHOWCASE 30. AMBASSADORIAL GIFTS. HOLLAND

Ambassadorial silver items of the showcase are the work of the finest 17th-century silversmiths from Amsterdam, Utrecht, Hague and Leyden. Exhibits reveal all the artistic tendencies of the Dutch ‘Golden Age’ of arts and represent the main styles and techniques of Dutch goldsmithery.  Holland became the first country where a bourgeois republic was established. The 17th century was a period of Holland’s efflorescence in science and literature as well as in painting and applied art. Both beautiful and utilitarian articles of silver and ivory and artistic pottery were used as utensils in the everyday life of the rich bourgeoisie.

The Armoury collection of the Dutch silver contains about 140 items, presented by the embassies in 1648, 1665 and 1676, and a large group specially commissioned by merchant Grigory Stroganov. It highlights the key stages in the progress of political relations between Holland and Russia. On several occasions, Holland sought Russia's support during the twist and turns of the struggle waged by European Protestantism against the Catholic League during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), during the four Anglo-Dutch wars (the 1650s-1680s) and during the arduous war against France in the late 17th century.

Having been intended to be ambassadorial gifts, the artworks were executed as large pieces of virtue and richly decorated with chasing, pouncing and gilding. The smooth polished surface of tableware and utensils was usually executed in several lobes in combination with embossed patterns, engravings of tulips, daffodils etc.—a popular decorative motif in Dutch silverwork of the 17th century. Elements of the décor were further embellished with knorpelwerk (auricular style) ornament, widely used in Dutch decoration up to the end of the 17th century.