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Lot Essay
Originally from Prussia, Johannes Pieter Courtin (Keurlis) (1652-1726) and his wife Elizabeth Doors (1647-1727) were members of the original settlers of Germantown, Pennsylvania, arriving on the Concord on 6 October 1683. In addition to serving as constable, tax collector, and assessor, Courtin owned and operated a tavern and inn, obtaining his license in November 1701.
Johannes Nys (c. 1671-1734) is believed to be of French Huguenot ancestry, and to have emigrated to New York in the 1660's. Due to the similarities between his forms and other New York silversmiths, it is believed he began his training there, before moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to set up his own workshop, where he first appeared on a list of craftsmen in 1698. A similarly shaped tankard by Nys with domed cover and heart-form terminal but with a later spout, dated 1718-122, is in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (acc. no. 2003-7-1). A porringer by Nys was sold in these rooms, 20-21 January 2022, lot 288.
Johannes Nys (c. 1671-1734) is believed to be of French Huguenot ancestry, and to have emigrated to New York in the 1660's. Due to the similarities between his forms and other New York silversmiths, it is believed he began his training there, before moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to set up his own workshop, where he first appeared on a list of craftsmen in 1698. A similarly shaped tankard by Nys with domed cover and heart-form terminal but with a later spout, dated 1718-122, is in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (acc. no. 2003-7-1). A porringer by Nys was sold in these rooms, 20-21 January 2022, lot 288.