Two pilgrim bottles
by LOOFS, Adam, Silver-gilt, height 47 and 48 cm
In 1680, Adam Loofs became silver steward at the court of Willem III in The Hague. He made silver furniture, and silver bowls, plates, wine coolers and bottles, including the two pilgrim bottles shown in the picture. The bottles are decorated with the coat of arms of William, the first Duke of Devonshire to whom the bottles were given by King Willem III. The shape of these silver-gilt bottles derives from the leather bottles carried by pilgrims in the Middle Ages.