SILVER CUP. SPAIN, 18TH CENTURY.
Antiques -
Reference: ZF1057
Bernegal or quaking iron with handles. Silver. Spain, 18th century. Avocado shaker in its colour with a circular base, without a pedestal or foot, and a hemispherical body that is wider at the top, with two handles on the sides. These have two facing Cs of different sizes (the largest one on top) or in the shape of an S, and a decoration based on silver pearls and a bird perched on the top (the two on the piece facing the centre). In Spanish silversmithing, the Baroque trends were maintained for almost the first two thirds of the 18th century, except in the capital, where Rococo forms were introduced without displacing the previous ones. It was not until 1740 when French silversmiths introduced these innovations in Madrid, which would spread slowly to the rest of the centres (as a general rule), depending on the area and the masters. This survival of the 17th century forms can be seen in the handles of the tembladera, decorative abundance (compared to the rest of the wine-tasting vessel) that contrasts with the clean lines of the rest of the work but is common in this type of work. The lack of hallmarks does not allow the work or the artist to be located, although it is precisely this that speaks in favour of a secondary silversmithing centre, where the lack of control of these works was more common due to the lack of masters and the means to ensure compliance with the marking regulations. It does show a fine engraving of initials on the front of the piece. Bernegales and tembladeras were the most common types of silverware in 17th century Spain (although they continued to be popular in the 18th century, especially in centres far from the main creative centres). In the case of this piece, it is the handles that could indicate an American manufacture, although there are similar cases that are thought to have been made in the Iberian Peninsula. Compare this with works such as the tembladera by Antonio Sánchez dated between 1655 and 1689 from the Convent of the Clarissan Mothers of Villacastín, others preserved in the National Museum of Decorative Arts in Madrid, etc. Weight: 213 grams.
· Size: 18,5x15x8 cms.
1.500 €
