Image Credits: Courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art, public domain
Hi-re image: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/802
The maker of this elegant two-handled silver bowl, Cornelius Kierstede (December 25, 1674 – 1757) was a well-known silversmith active in New York and New Haven. Christened in the Reformed Dutch Church in New York on January 5, 1675, he belonged to the third generation of the Kierstede family in New Amsterdam/New York and was directly related to Sara and Hans Kierstede.
Various surviving 17th-century Dutch inventories of New Amsterdam families list silver objects such as this one. In her last will dated January 29, 1663 Anneke Jans Bogardus (1605-1662/3), mother of Sara Kierstede (1627-1693), bequeaths a silver mug to each of her grandchildren https://encyclopedia.nahc-mapping.org/spouse/annetje-jans-bogardus-id-660017. This brandywine bowl forms part of decorative art objects made of silver used in celebrations of newborns. During these festive gatherings the guests shared a drink of brandy or wine to welcome the baby into the family and community. Silver jars and bowls, as well as tall slender glasses or flutes filled with wine are depicted in various Dutch scenes of the “Kraamvisite,” including The Visit to the Nursery https://encyclopedia.nahc-mapping.org/object/painting-visit-nursery-after-birth-sara-hinlopen-1660 and the Newborn Baby https://encyclopedia.nahc-mapping.org/document/newborn-baby-matthijs-naiveu-dutch-1675
Metropolitan Museum summary: Derived from Dutch, Scandinavian, and English sources, brandywine bowls were used on festive occasions such as the kindermaal, when women gathered to welcome a newborn child. Following Dutch custom, a bowl would be filled with raisins and brandy and passed from guest to guest. Here, boldly chased tulips create a sumptuous effect. The bowl belonged to Theunis Jacobsen Quick, a wealthy baker, and his wife, Vroutje Janse Haring.
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Artist-Maker: Cornelius Kierstede (1674–ca. 1757)
Date: 1700–1710
Geography: Made in New York, New York, United States
Culture: American – Colonial Dutch
Medium: Silver
Dimensions: Overall: 5 3/8 x 13 13/16 in. (13.7 x 35.1 cm); 25 oz. 19 dwt. (806.9 g)
Lip: Diam. 9 11/16 in. (24.6 cm)
Foot: Diam. 4 13/16 in. (12.2 cm)
Object Number: 38.63