SILVER JAR OR JUG. MARTÍNEZ MORENO, MATEO. CÓRDOBA, SPAIN, POSSIBLY 1797.

Jug or jug with basin. Silver in its color. MARTINEZ MORENO, Mateo. Córdoba, Spain, 18th century With contrast and burilar marks. Made of silver in its color, the jug has an oval base, which rises flat until reaching a molding with vertical lines grouped three by three; Following it, it presents a curve and a decoration of engraved circles until reaching the body of the piece. This is divided into three areas, a widening below until reaching the central area and, finally, another curve until the mouth, all decorated with a series of curved “segments” of different widths. The handle, of a type known as a brace, presents architectural and vegetal decorations. The lid repeats the lines of the body and ends with a vegetal shape, in addition to presenting a piece towards the handle. The beak, curved outwards, shows two moldings halfway along its length. The typology to which this jug belongs was common in Spanish silversmithing during the Rococo, and models similar to the present one can be found both in the capital and in other centers. With Philip V numerous French influences came to silversmithing, along with some Italian ones, both by craftsmen from these origins and by pieces. There continues to be little marking on the works except in important centers such as Madrid, and civil typologies acquired great importance. As in the rest of the country, the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical trends coexisted at the Court, although, being the center that set the tone for the rest, the former soon moved away, introducing the Rococo before 1740 or on that date, and Neoclassicism around 1770 (gradually imposing itself since 1780). Let us remember, again, that the jug follows the most common prototype since the arrival of the Bourbons, characterized by its European influence and by the great difference it shows with the type known as the “spout jug” (present in the Renaissance, etc. ). It presents several contrast marks at different points of the piece, some foils (partially preserved). It is possible to identify the locality, Córdoba, and that of the master silversmith, without fully identifying the numbering allusive to the date of creation of the work. Mateo Martínez Moreno was active in Córdoba during approximately the second half of the 18th century and was a faithful representative of the same city between 1780 and 1804 (the year he died). Weight: 1,167 kg.

· Size: 38,5x31,5x29 cms