Bruges 1638, Wedding Cup, Brandy Bowl, Sterling Silver, Goldsmith François Caneel

Extremely rare wedding cup , brandy bowl or "brandewijnschaal" in solid silver dating from the first half of the seventeenth century. It bears on its bottom the master goldsmith's mark of François Caneel and the guarantee and year letter hallmarks of the goldsmiths' corporation of Bruges for the year 1638. Three traces of silver taking or "striches" are also present on the bottom and each handle. On one of the two handles is engraved a coat of arms of a so far unidentified patrician family. Several families of Bruges magistrates wore very similar coats of arms, among them the Lobé, Cousins, de Baenst, Perot , de Berthe families, etc. often of Burgundian origin. Although it bears the traces of its four centuries of existence and use, this pretty brandy bowl  or wedding cup is in a good state of conservation. It weighs approximately 170 grams