Silver candlesticks with municipal coat of arms

About this artwork.

On October 31, 2023, Benno Weinands (appraiser) was asked by a customer to prepare an expertise report on a painting that was offered for auction in Germany. Weinands decided to look through the auction house's entire catalog, including that of antique silver. In the online silver catalog he came across a pair of candlesticks with the following description: “Ein Paar Kerzenhalter 18. Jhdt. Einflammig. Wappengravur. Undeutliche Punzen”. Based on the shape of the candlesticks, it was possible that they were Dutch examples. The second photo confirmed this story and it was clear to Weinands that this was a set of Groningen candlesticks.

The maker's mark was that of a descendant of the renowned Giffen silversmith family, namely LVG. This maker's mark is attributed to the silversmith Lucas van Giffen. The maker's mark was often removed twice in Groningen, just like on these copies. The city hallmark with the number recognizable for the city of Groningen in combination with the year letter was also quickly clear to Weinands. This was the number 7, which stands for the seventh alphabet (period 1749 - 1774) in combination with the year letter Q, which stands for the year 1764-1765. The candlesticks are marked and have an engraving in the base. The engraving is a crowned coat of arms, the city coat of arms of Groningen with the recognizable horizontal band in the middle of the coat of arms.

At the time the candlesticks were auctioned, Weinands still could not believe that an extremely low target price was being set for the candlesticks. The auction began: “Surprised, I raised my bidding card and waited for eye contact with the auctioneer or supervisor. The auctioneer quickly saw my bidding card and €650 was my bid. After 4 more bids back and forth, the entire bidding process stopped at €800. I was stunned when the auctioneer hammered away the lot."

After some research in the various Groningen reference works on silver, Weinands found the sisters of his newly purchased candlesticks. In the description of this publication, the candlesticks are attributed to the son of Lucas van Giffen, namely Lambertus van Giffen II, which is quite possible since Lucas van Giffen already died in 1758 and his widow Abigail Oomkens continued his workshop. The publication also stated the following: “Two copies: Municipality of Groningen, Two copies: Museum of Groningen inv.1928-110 (municipality of Groningen)”. Based on the publication, Weinands discovered that the candlesticks he purchased were the two that disappeared from the mayor's room in the City Hall on June 11, 1976. He decided to contact Egge Knol, now a former curator of the Museum of Groningen and a great enthusiast and expert of Groningen silver. It was clear to Weinands, despite the statute of limitations on the theft, that the candlesticks had to be returned to their rightful owner, which was the Municipality of Groningen.

On December 7, 2023, the candlesticks will be back after a wandering of more than 47 years.

Facts & Figures.

• Year of creation
  1764

• Collection
  Town Hall Collection