An early 18th century Dutch silver snuffers tray (kaarsesnuiter stander), Den Haag (The Hauge) 1724 by Jesayas Engouw (1675 1737, master 1696)

Of shaped oblong form, with a cavetto edge and a moulded rim, all upon four spool feet. The flat form oval side handle with bifurcated scroll junction. The field engraved with a contemporaneous coat of arms in an oval cartouche with two crowned lion rampant supporters upon a triangular pediment with Baroque scrolls below, all surmounted by a coronet. Fully marked to the reverse, date letter B.

Length – 20.5 cm / 8.05 inches

Weight – 179 grams / 5.75 ozt

The arms are for Van Stepraedt

In 1489 Godert van Stepraedt buys the house Doddendael for 4000 gold guilders. The family Stepraedt originates from Westphalia. Their property 'Stepraedt' is situated in West-Germany near Limburg. The following two Centuries the family gathered a large number of other properties by marriage both in Germany and the Netherlands: They owned Indoornick (1538), Walbeek (ca 1550), Het Loo (1628), Duistervoorde near Twello (1650), Loenersloot (1679), sold in 1767 and Nijenbeek near Voorst (1714). Doodendael was owned by the Stepraedt family until 1743, when it became the property of various other family branches via the female line.

For a meat dish of 1727 by this maker engraved with the same coat of arms, sold Christie’s Amsterdam, 13 Nov 2001, lot 313 (€5288, incl. premium)