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Spanish Toledoware

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Author	Topic: Spanish Toledoware
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 02-20-2006 04:23 PM [01-2394] Would members be so kind to share what they know about Spanish Toledoware? Does anyone have photos of some good example to post? IP: Logged
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 Registered: Apr 2000	posted 02-20-2006 06:15 PM I'm assuming you mean damascene work, which is a very old technique that involves iron inlaid with other metals like gold and silver, typically in ornate designs with scrolls, arabesques, etc. Damascene has appeared on an endless variety of goods, and Toledo is where most Spanish damascene is made. This is a ca 1900 example: Spanish Damascene by Alverez [gone from the internet] (FYI-this match safe website has some splendid examples of the form, I recommended taking some time to look at the "Museum" section). Older Spanish damascening is often quite intricate and finely made. It is a very popular souvenir item, especially jewelry, and I think has been for at least a century. When I was in Toledo a couple of years ago, it was cluttered with many tourist-trap stores selling damascene items. The quality and design were inferior (surprise) to old examples, and most of the modern pieces were set in flimsy gold plated metal. I am sure there are still artisans producing good examples of the craft, but the bulk of what is being produced today is disappointing. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 02-20-2006 10:54 PM Thank you Paul. Here are few other examples: Spanish Damascene Conquistador Set[gone from the internet] Pistols A PAIR OF EIBAR CANDLESTICKS Also there is apparently a book: The Art and Tradition of the Zuloagas, Spanish Damascene from the Khalili Collection Lavin, James D., Oxford, England: The Khalili Family Trust, 1997. Has anyone seen the book and care to comment? Should it be added to the SSF Silver Library? IP: Logged
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 Registered: Apr 2000	posted 02-20-2006 11:08 PM Here is a more modern example. As you can see, the inlaid bird scene & decoration is die-cut (here is a neat trick--while looking at the picture, slowly cross your eyes until the two earrings overlap; you can see that there is no variation in the placement and exact shape of the inlay, save for very minor differences caused by the camera angle--this would not be the case if it were hand-cut). And there is even fake damascene. It is gold-plated metal with cold-painted black details. It, too, usually hails from Spain. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 02-20-2006 11:20 PM Thanks again Paul. IP: Logged
FWG Posts: 845 Registered: Aug 2005	posted 02-21-2006 11:12 AM I must say I've never seen/heard it referred to as 'Toledoware' before. Can't help wondering if that's an internetism. I've always known it as damascening. The latter is also a confusing term, as there is also Damascus steel -- a forged, layered steel akin to the metal of fine samurai swords and the Indonesian kris (there's also another technique designated by that name, but the pattern-welded version is the general referant). The datum to derive from both is that Toledo, thanks to the occupying Moors who brought in metallurgical techniques from the east, became a center for advanced techniques of making and decorating steel. IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 05-29-2009 03:25 PM Somehow I had completely missed this post. I collect examples of both Spanish and Japanese damascene. I have a copy of the Zuloaga book and it is superb, filled with exquisite photographs of the best pieces from the Kahlili collection. The text is equally interesting and if this of interest to you then it is a "must have" reference. Best, Fred IP: Logged
middletom Posts: 467 Registered: May 2004	posted 06-02-2009 05:35 PM As I've mentioned in a previous thread, I believe, I've read of the term Damascening referring to what is often called "engine turning", the circular swirls with abrasives. When I was in Toledo in the early seventies I took a tour through a shop wherein jewelry and other items were made with the technique shown above, and they also demonstrated the forging of swords from steel, with the folding of the steel. Perhaps Damascening has a number of definitions. IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 06-09-2009 06:03 PM Here is a late 19th - early 20th century example of Spanish damascene work. 1.5" diameter brooch Fred IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 06-12-2009 12:53 PM Here is another early Spanish Damascene Brooch. Yellow and green gold on iron 1 3/4" x 3/4" (4.5 cm x 2 cm) Fred IP: Logged
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 Registered: May 99	posted 06-13-2009 12:35 PM Damascene, the art of inlaying one metal into another, was developed in Damascus, Syria, and export thence (probably) both East to Japan and West to Spain (with the Moors). Toledo was the great metalwork center of Spain (the center of sword blades, for example) and thus also of damascene work. Interestingly, the bulk of the original Syrian damascene artists were Jews, because working in metal was shunned by Islam. Jewish silversmiths and damasceners (if that's a word) were brought to Jerusalem in the early 20th century by Boris Schatz, who founded the Bezalel School of Jewish arts and crafts in 1906. I've no doubt that many of the great damascene artists in early Toledo were also Jewish, but from the Middle East. IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 06-13-2009 11:14 PM The Japanese excelled in damascene work during the last part of the 19th century. The technique is called nunome there and I have some modest examples of their work as well in my collection. This process has been of interest to me for the last 20+ years and I have been fortunate to acquired several exquisite examples. This brooch is 1" diameter decorated with fine yellow and green gold and silver wires. Fred IP: Logged
adelapt Posts: 418 Registered: May 2003	posted 06-14-2009 01:56 AM Thanks for showing these masterpieces in miniature Fred - and for the background information Ulysses. IP: Logged

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