SILVER CUP WITH INSCRIPTION. POSSIBLY SOUTH AMERICAN, 18TH CENTURY.

Tembladera or bernegal with ownership inscription. Possibly Hispanic American, 18th century. Silver quake in its color with a wide, circular base and a mouth of larger diameter than this, body with a fine line engraved towards the edge and an ownership inscription on the front (Lucas Vilacha) made with small dots. It also has two handles decorated with plant elements and grotesques with human heads, and shapes similar to lions or dogs can be seen at the top. In Spanish silversmithing, Baroque trends were maintained during almost the first two thirds of the 18th century, except in the capital, where Rococo forms were already introduced without displacing the previous ones. It would not be until 1740 when French silversmiths introduced these innovations in Madrid, which would slowly spread to the rest of the centers, depending on areas and masters. This survival of the 17th century forms can be seen in the handles of the quake: the grotesques with human heads are very prominent, a decorative abundance that contrasts with the clean lines of the rest of the work but is common in this type of work. jobs. The lack of contrast marks does not allow the work or the artist to be located, although this is precisely what speaks in favor of a secondary silversmithing center, where the absence of control of these works was more common due to the lack of teachers and means to Ensure compliance with marking regulations. Bernegales and tembladeras were the most common typologies in Spanish silversmithing in the 17th century (although in the 18th century they continued to be popular, especially in centers far from the main creative centers). In the case of this piece, it is the handles that could indicate American manufacture, although there are similar cases that are thought to have been made in the Iberian Peninsula. It is necessary to mention that there is evidence of the baptism of a Lucas Vilachá in 1783 in Lanza (La Paz, Bolivia). Compare with works such as the tembladera by Antonio Sánchez dated between 1655 and 1689 from the Convent of Madres Clarisas de Villacastín, others preserved in the National Museum of Decorative Arts in Madrid, etc. Weight: 325 grams.

· Size: 20x15x7,6 cms.