Louis XIV Bouilloire, by Jaques Tuillier
When tea became a fashionable drink, the hotwater kettle was a logical follow-up. Hot water was necessary to dilute the strong brew in the small teapots of that time. The polished plain surface body and cover of the kettle placed on the well balanced contours of the brazier was a prestigeous object in its own right.
The small decorative embellishments rouns spout and handle indicate the early signs of the Rococo style, specifically in the Hague where international styles were used well in advance compared with other areas in Holland. The engraved crest on kettle and stand is that of Hans Kasper von Meiss (1706-1764), a high officer of the Swiss Regiment, an important segment of the standing Dutch army. The Hugenot silversmith Jaques Tuillier is listed in the Guildregister of 1705, he was the headofficial (deken) of the Guild from 1725-1731. He was based on the Veerkade. Until recently a small silver tureen with the engraved crest of Prince Willem IV was considered as his last creation, date hallmark for 1736. This hotwater kettle proves that Tuillier was active at least until 1741.
Our kettle is really a superb quality object of Tuillier of whom relative few objects are known.
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