IMPORTANT HANAP (PRONKBEKER) OF THE CHAMBER OF RHETORIC "DE HEILIGE GEEST in silver gilt (vermeil) in the form of a cup in the form of a covered chalice with repoussé and chased. The lid features an eagle with outstretched wings on an orb engraved with the inscription myn werck is hemelick" (Translation: "My work is celestial", the My work is heavenly", the guild's motto) on a baluster rising from the base of the the base of the lid. The bowl with two bulges is is engraved on the rim with the inscription: "Desen Cop is ghemaeckt van prysen ghewonnen by die van dese ghilde 1661" (Translation: "This cup was cup was made as a prize won by those de cette guilde 1661"). The central frieze with of cherubs. Three hanging handles at the base. Leg with three-handled knot, rings and circular circular foot with embossed fruit cartouches. Four punctuation marks inscribed on the rim of the cup: Crowned lion's head and B for the city of Bruges, letter date C for 1660/1661 and unidentified master silversmith. Flanders, Bruges, 17th century, 1661. Height: 39.9 cm - Total gross weight: 596 g. (Very good condition) 15 000 - 20 000 € PROVENANCE - Ignace-Joseph Pardo de Frémicourt (1720 - 1792), chief man of the chamber of de Heilige Geest (of the Holy Spirit) from 1773 to his death, appointed Sire of the said chamber in 1782. - Passed by descent to the Counts of Lichtervelde to this day. BIBLIOGRAPHY J. Gailliard, Bruges et le Franc ou leur magistrature et leur noblesse with historical and genealogical and genealogical data on each family - Volume II, 1858. p. 305. The motto inscribed on the orb of the lid of the hanap "Myn werck is hemelick", translated today as "My work is heavenly", could be translated in old Dutch as "Mon oeuvre est céleste". could be translated into Old Dutch as 'Mon oeuvre is secret" or "My work is hidden". This is the motto of the Bruges rhetorical chamber De Heilige Geest in Bruges, as is one of the coats of arms of this rhetorical kept in the Musea Brugge [N° 0000. GRO1306.I]. De Heilige Geest (The Holy Spirit) rhetorical chamber of Bruges is one of the oldest and most influential literary literary societies of the Old Netherlands and was founded in the early fifteenth century, at a time when chambers of rhetoric (rederijkerskamers) were flourishing. (rederijkerskamers) in Flemish cities. These associations brought together lovers of poetry, theatre and music played an active role in public ceremonies, religious processions and literary religious processions and literary competitions. The first known public performance of the chamber took place in 1442 on the Place du Burg, in front of Bruges Town Hall. This precious object, reputedly kept in the family of the Counts the Counts of Lichtervelde from time immemorial, entered the family in the 18th century in the person of their grandfather Ignace Joseph Pardo de Frémicourt (1720 - 1792). Indeed, the latter played a particularly important role important role in the chamber of rhetoric De Heilige Geest of which he was 'chef-homme' from 1773 until his death and appointed 'sire' on 14 January 1782. It was probably on this last occasion that our cup was presented to him in particular. Pardo was also lord of Frémicourt, Bilandrie, Bencourt, Flines, Evin, Lambres, provost of the Confrérie du of the Holy Blood in 1775; he was successively councillor, alderman and burgomaster of Bruges. In 1751 he married a Miss Triest of a great Bruges family, from whom he had descendants. The painter Matthijs De Visch (1701 - 1765) painted a portrait of Ignace Pardo in 1759. of Ignace Pardo in the Sint-Janshospitaal in Bruges (voogdenkamer). (voogdenkamer).