SILVER “TEMBLADERA” OR TASTEVIN. 1739.
Antiques - Miscellaneous / Silver Works
Reference: Z5831
Pair of silver tasting glasses. 1739. (Along with Ref. z5829) No hallmarks. With inscription on the front. Both identical, each one is made up of a circular bowl with a smooth mouth and a smaller diameter bottom decorated with two S-shaped handles and an inscription on the outer rim that reads: “I am from the noble council of Santiux, to which our neighbor Jul de las Cuevas Zeballos presented us in the year 1739.” Baroque tendencies continued in Spanish silversmithing for almost the first two-thirds of the 18th century, except in the capital, where Rococo forms were already being introduced without displacing the earlier ones. It wasn't until 1740 that French silversmiths introduced these innovations to Madrid, which slowly spread to other centers, depending on the region and master. This survival of 17th-century forms can be seen in the handles of the wobbler: the human-headed grotesques are highlighted by vibrant plant motifs, a decorative abundance that contrasts with the clean lines of the rest of the work but is common in this type of work. The lack of hallmarks makes it impossible to locate the work or the artist, although this is precisely what speaks in favor of a secondary silversmith center, where the lack of control over these works was more common due to the lack of masters and resources to ensure compliance with hallmarking regulations. Throughout the first two thirds of the 18th century, the somewhat monotonous nature of the centers of Old Castile (to which Cantabria belonged), León, and Galicia was noticeable compared to the importance of Valladolid and Salamanca, which is why they may have been made in the Cantabrian area. The inscription clarifies the purpose of the quaking stones: they were a gift to the Council of Santiurde de Reinosa (Cantabria) from Juan de las Cuevas Ceballos, a native of this town and resident of El Puerto de Santa María de Cádiz, who also proved his nobility in 1733 before the Court of the Hijosdalgo of the Royal Chancery of Valladolid. These are therefore two pieces made for civil use, a detail that increases their importance due to the scarcity of this type of work.
· Size: 15x11x6.5 cms.
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