Dutch Silver Bench and Chair Miniatures for a Doll’s House, Schoonhoven, 1970s

Two Beautiful Dutch silver miniatures comprising a classic ladder back bench and arm chair.

Each stamped with London import marks, date letter cursive small t for 1974, and Dutch sponsor’s mark ML for Martinus Louwers

Bench 1 ¾ in. (4.4 cm) wide; 1 ¾ in. (4.4 cm) high

23.8 grams; 1.06 troy ounces (2)

The town of Schoonhoven in Southern Holland where this miniature was made is almost 700 years old. After the lords of the castle commissioned the first silversmiths in the 14th century, the city developed into a unique center of silver craft, industry and art. Schoonhoven’s national silver museum has one of the world’s largest collections of Dutch silver and operates the only silver training course in the country.