18th C. Spanish Silver Ewer (Marked Cruz, Hand-Wrought)

Spanish Silver Ewer, 18th Century, with Assay and Maker’s Marks, Antonio Jose Santa Cruz y Zaldua.

A hand-wrought Spanish silver ewer with lobed baluster body, domed lid with finial, scrolled handle and spiraling fluted decoration on a conforming foot.

Bearing two clear Spanish marks:

a circular national standard punch (lion/castle device) for silver purity. A circular mark with a castle or lion for Spanish national silver standard mark.

Spain used lion = .915 silver or castle = .916 in various periods.

A maker’s mark: Sa / Z in a shaped cartouche, consistent with Spanish silversmiths whose marks combine initial clusters, especially Sevilla, Córdoba and Madrid workshops.

Height: approx. 11 in., 869 grams total weight.