The cylindrical body, prominent, curved, spout and curving handle of this ewer are characteristic of sixteenth and seventeenth-century Spanish jugs, particularly those produced in Seville. However, the winged women, bearded heads enclosed in roundels, and monstrous figures that decorate the body and handle of this example are more characteristic of goldsmiths' work from Cuenca (central Spain). The combination of styles means the ewer has been attributed to Juan Ruiz el Vandalino, asixteenth-century goldsmith who worked in both Cuenca and Seville.
Contemporaries referred to this type of ewer as a 'jarro de pico' (literally 'pointed/spouted jug'). They were commonly used in a domestic setting, either as water jugs at table or, when paired with a basin, as ewers for handwashing.
Physical description
Cylindrical body with flanged lip engraved with foliage, the body with embossed band with monsters and roundels enclosing heads, curved spout and a handle of human and animal grotesque, stepped base chased with masks.
Place of Origin
Seville, Spain (Probably, made)
Date
1540-1550 (made)
Artist/maker
Juan Ruiz el Vandalino, born 1485 - died 1560 (The ewer is cautiously attributed to 'el Vandalino' by José Manuel Cruz Valdovinos (Cinco Siglos , goldsmith)
Materials and Techniques
Silver, raised, embossed and chased.
Marks and inscriptions
Engraved W (later) on lower body at front
Unmarked
Dimensions
Diameter: 11.30 cm foot, Height: 26.05 cm, Width: 21.20 cm
Descriptive line
Ewer, silver, cylindrical body on a low, circular foot, embossed with monsters and roundels enclosing heads, the curved handle in the form of a vomiting monster. Unmarked.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Oman, Charles. The Golden Age of Hispanic Silver 1400-1665, London, HMSO, 1968.
Cruz Valdovinos, José Manuel. Cinco Siglos de Platería Sevillana. Seville, Comisaría de la Ciudad de Sevilla para 1992, 1992. [Catalogue of the exhibition held at the Real Monasterio de San Clemente, Seville, 7 April - 30 May 1992.] ISBN: 8479520647
Full-page black and white image of the ewer after catalogue entry (p. 50); biographical details of goldsmith Juan Ruiz 'el Vandalino' on p. 382.
Montalvo Martín, Francisco Javier. Los jarros de pico del Instituto de Valencia de Don Juan. Goya, vol. 276, May-June 2000, pp. 167-75.
A survey of this type of ewer in the collections of the Instituto Valencia de Don Juan, Madrid.
Labels and date
Silver Gallery:
This ewer is an epitome of mannerist design. The embossed and cast ornament is exceptionally inventive. The bands around the foot and the body are composed of masks and medallions between grotesque harpies (monsters) and heads emerging from scrolls. The handle and spout combine different elements to create an apparently chaotic yet in fact cohesive programme: the multi-headed beast of the handle seems to vomit into the ewer while the spout is formed as a fierce monster's head surmounted by a small naked putto urinating over his head. [26/11/2002]
EWER
About 1530
Masks, harpies (birds with female heads) and monsters adorn the base and body of this ewer. A touch of humour is added by the handle in the form of a multi-headed monster that appears to vomit into the ewer when seen from the front or side.
Spain, Toledo or Cuenca
Silver
Given by W.L. Hildburgh FSA
Museum no. M.471-1956 [2009]
Production Note
Toledo or Cuenca, Castilla La Mancha
Materials
Silver
Techniques
Chasing; Embossing; Raising
Categories
Metalwork; Food vessels & Tableware
Collection code
MET
