Volkert Brouwer from Kampen. He worked from 1828 to 1865. Volkert was born in Kampen in 1805 and settled in Zwolle (Korte Kamperstraat 142) in 1827. From around 1840, he returned to Kampen (Burgwal). He died in 1865. Maker’s mark VB .*.
I found no mention of The Hague.
Bart, once more you have astounded me. You also shamed me in a sense, but I say that with a big happy smile! I had been thinking I was able to help myself quite adequately browsing the available sources for information on silver flatware, but you have shown me that you know your sources much, much better. This new guy, Siep, who has set the ball rolling again with his revelation on the likely maker who crafted my spoon, is as canny as they come. With one short reply he has probably cut the Gordian knot.
Siep, I’m so happy you have come on board! May I be so foreward as to ask where on this earth you guys got this knowledge on Volkert Brouwer from?
Concerning The Hague: the distance between Kampen and The Hague is 144 km. My spoon has a duty mark with a C = The Hague. For Brouwer to travel that distance repeatedly to have his wares assayed, is not likely.
Regards
Jan
Dear Johan!
Thank you for your appreciation and kind words! My ability to find information is nothing special. Yes, my current profession and the demons of my past come in handy. 
When searching, I often use the native language of the item’s country of origin. Searching for images yields good results.
Try this:
Result:
Siep is undoubtedly a seasoned expert on the subject and certainly didn’t end up here by accident. He has clearly demonstrated his vast knowledge. We need such experts here to improve our forum.
The Hague, indeed.
Thank you, Bart! I have responded to your kind advice on how to improve my search efforts, and have hit paydirt as you have. One of the snippets I have unearthed will, I think, surprise even you.
Volkert Brouwer was a bachelor and a Mennonite during the time that he worked as silversmith in the street called Burgwal in Kampen. Whether he remained a bachelor I do not yet know. But for a certain number of years he had the services of a certain Johanna Eijkelboom - she might have been about 30-ish at the time - who practically ruled the roost, you might say. She looked after Volkert’s household matters in a very able, thorough way, yet (and I know you will ask this, or Guildhall will) I do not think the relationship progressed further than household matters.
Johanna, the daughter of a ship’s captain, was born a few days shy of Christmas 1817 and lived into her eighties. In her time, she earned the nicknames Johanna de Halsstarrige, and Naatje, which nickname later transformed into Nukkige Naatje.
The search into the life and times of Volkert Brouwer goes on…..! Siep, are you going to chime in again?
Regards
Jan
Great job! And I’m glad I could help.
Bart, this specific snippet is definitely of great value:
Volkert voerde in de periode 1827-1865 een viertal meestertekens, te weten:
Please see point 4. That’s great, is it not!
Regards
Jan
“Between 1827 and 1865, Volkert used four master’s marks, namely: intertwined capital letters VB, with the number 47 below within a square area; intertwined initials VB, with the number 47 below within a horizontal hexagon; separate initials VB with a dot above the letter V, struck within a square area; separate initials VB, with a dot, a star, and another dot below, all within a square area.”
We are not afraid of riddles! 
Bart, at least I’ve got one advantage over you, in the fact that I can read Dutch quite easily. My home language is Afrikaans, which is similar. But I’m so used to doing everything in English, that I failed to do my searching in Dutch (in which technique you set me straight).
Volkert Brouwer’s father was Jan Brouwer, and his mother Elizabeth van Groenou. Volkert died on October 15, 1865 in Kampen. He was 61.
Regards
Jan
