|
Ypres Les Halles 1914 Antique Silver Matchbox Holder or Cover - Harrods
|
|
 |
Reference: S11115
Period: George V
Year: 1916
Silversmith: Harrods Stores Ltd (Richard Burbridge)
Place: Haarlem & London
Price: $ 280.00
Weight: 28 grams
Dimensions: 5.7 cm * 3.8 cm, height 2 cm
Condition: Good, has had repairs to 3 of the 4 connecting arms, this has been professionally done.
Description: A rare and interesting Dutch silver matchbox holder (or cover), a memento of the destruction of the Ypres Cloth Hall (Lakenhal) during the Great War (World War I), imported and retailed by Harrod's of London. The box is embossed with a detailed image of the Great Cloth Hall in Ypres, before it's destruction during the war. The box reads "YPRES LES HALLES 1914". The gauge of silver is quite thin, and the box has been well used and damaged, 3 of the connecting arms have been repaired. The box is Dutch, and has clear Dutch hallmarks G for 1916, and makers mark VS for Vos & Co of Haarlem, Hertogenbosch. The box also has clear London import marks for 1916, and importers mark RB for Richard Burbridge, who was Managing Director of Harrods from 1911 to 1917. The Cloth Hall was first built in 1304, site of the Les Halles Market, and centre to the town of Ypres (Ieper). It was the site of many major battles during the War, first sustaining damage in 1914 but being completely destroyed by 1918. It was rebuilt between 1928 -1967, and is now a World Heritage Site (well worth a visit, the battlefields, cemetaries and memorials are very moving). We are not certain why Harrods chose to retail this box in 1916, perhaps to raise funds for the War effort, we welcome information, thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
Ypres Les Halles 1914 Antique Silver Matchbox Holder or Cover - Harrods
|
|
|
|
|
Antique Dutch Silver Matchbox Holder or Cover - Harrods
|
|
|
|
|
Richard Burbridge Harrods sterling silver import marks London 1916
|
|
|
|
|
Vos & Co Haarlem dutch silver makers marks, silver repair
|
|
|
|
|
Dutch silver hallmark
|
|
|
|
|
Ypres Les Halles 1914 silver matchbox scale
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
