A FINE SPANISH DAMASCENED STEEL CASKET

A FINE SPANISH DAMASCENED STEEL CASKET

BY PLACIDO ZULOAGA (1834-1910), C.1880

the domed cover with a central monogram inside arabesque, foliate and scrolling decoration, the sides and key with similar decoration, with a buttoned, burgundy silk lined interior, the lock plate inscribed 'P. ZULOAGA EN EIBAR', on bun feet

13cm high, 17.4cm wide, 9.7cm deep

Provenance

The Michael Baggott Collection.

Catalogue Note

Placido Zuolaoga was a Spanish sculptor and artist who became renowned for his damascene decoration, inlaying gold, silver, and other metals into an iron or steel surface. He was praised in his day as ' a second Benvenuto Cellini'. His first recognition as an artist came in 1855 when, together with his father Eusebio, they exhibited at the 1855 Exposition Universelle de Paris where an anonymous visitor commented that 'One cannot praise too highly the arms and other metal objects presented by the Sres. Zuloaga, father and son.....iron-chiselling, damascene, etching and repoussé never had interpreters of such obvious and varied talent'.