SILVER WRITTING SET. WITH HALLMARKS. CORDOBA (SPAIN), ANTONIO JOSÉ SANTA CRUZ Y JUAN DE LUQUE Y LEIVA, 1773.

Notary office. Cordoba, Antonio José de Santa Cruz (Cordoba, 1733 - ?) and Juan de Luque y Leiva, 1773.With hallmarks and engraving marks. It has some defect in some container and a bell is added. A silver writing set consisting of a tray, four containers, and a bell. The tray, oval in shape, features gently curved edges and counter-curves, decorated at the top with flat moldings combined with scrolls and scallop-shaped motifs. It stands on legs composed of two scrolls flanking a teardrop shape, the whole topped by a symmetrical composition. The four lidded containers have gently curved profiles (among which engraved initials can be seen) that curve upwards in parallel spirals, lines that extend onto the lids. Two of the smaller containers have holes in their lids. The bell, used to summon the servants and set into its own space on the tray, has much simpler lines. The hallmarks placed at various points on the set provide information regarding its date, origin, and place of creation. They were likely made in Córdoba. Antonio José de Santa Cruz was a silversmith known for his work in Córdoba, active mainly in the second half of the 18th century; his works are preserved in some churches and in prominent institutions such as the National Museum of Decorative Arts in Madrid. Juan de Luque y Leiva was a renowned silversmith from Córdoba, active around the same time, with works preserved in the area (Parish of San Miguel in Córdoba, a cruet case with cruets in Loja from 1778, works in the Costume Museum in Madrid, etc.). Stylistically, the lines of the entire piece (except for the bell) show its Rococo origins, with the usual influence of certain Neoclassical details, which contribute to the relative simplification of the decoration, while still retaining some of the movement of the other artistic style mentioned, which is also characteristic of the 18th century. Weight: 1490 grams.

· Size: 26x30x15 cms.