A magnificent Portuguese-colonial Brazilian silver ewer and basin by Unknown artist

A magnificent Portuguese-colonial Brazilian silver ewer and basin by Unknown artist

A magnificent Portuguese-colonial Brazilian silver ewer and basin by Unknown artist

A magnificent Portuguese-colonial Brazilian silver ewer and basin by Unknown artist

A magnificent Portuguese-colonial Brazilian silver ewer and basin 1780

Unknown artist

Silver
30 ⨯ 53 ⨯ 4 cm
Price on request

Zebregs & Röell - Fine Art - Antiques

About the artwork
Rio de Janeiro, circa 1780, with an unidentified maker’s mark HSC, and town mark R for Rio de Janeiro

L. 53 x W. 39 x H. 4 cm / Weight: 2480 grams (basin)
H. 30 x W. 12 cm / Weight: 2040 grams (ewer)

The quality of this ewer and basin, both in form and in
chiselling and engraving truly is exceptional. They probably are by the same maker as a very similar ewer in the Catedral São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, and an ewer and basin, in the Mosteiro de São Bento, a monastery in Rio - both unmarked and dated second half 18th century. The most obvious difference is the handle which in these two ewers is in the form of a dragon instead of a woman. Brazilian silver, even very large pieces, mainly when ordered by the church, is very seldomly marked, and so far, no research into Brazilian silver marks has been conducted. The use of these hand-washing basins and ewers at the table was a welcome requirement due to the frequent absence of cutlery.

Literature:
- Humberto M. Franceshi, O Ofício da Prata no Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, 1988, p. 182-185

- Manuel Gonçalves Vidal, Marcas de Contrastes e Ourives Portugueses, Lisbon, 1974
About the artist
It might happen that an artist or maker is unknown.
Some works are not to be determined by whom it is made or it is made by (a group of) craftsmen. Examples are statues from the Ancient Time, furniture, mirroirs, or signatures that are not clear or readible but as well some works are not signed at all.
As well you can find the following description:
•“Attributed to ….” In their opinion probably a work by the artist, at least in part
•“Studio of ….” or “Workshop of” In their opinion a work executed in the studio or workshop of the artist, possibly under his supervision
•“Circle of ….” In their opinion a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil
•“Style of ….” or “Follower of ….” In their opinion a work executed in the artist’s style but not necessarily by a pupil; may be contemporary or nearly contemporary
•“Manner of ….” In their opinion a work in the style of the artist but of a later date
•“After ….” In their opinion a copy (of any date) of a work of the artist
•“Signed…”, “Dated….” or “Inscribed” In their opinion the work has been signed/dated/inscribed by the artist. The addition of a question mark indicates an element of doubt
•"With signature ….”, “With date ….”, “With inscription….” or “Bears signature/date/inscription” in their opinion the signature/ date/ inscription has been added by someone other than the artist

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