Centro de plata. Real Fabrica de Platería Martínez. Ca. 1825

Real Fabrica de Platería Martínez.
Celestino Espinosa, goldsmith.
Silver oval center. Ca. 1825.
Hallmarks on the reverse. Royal crown and initials S.S. chiseled on the front. Side with chiseled molding with border.
Origin of the piece: This piece was part of the set of pieces that were manufactured under the supervision of the famous Celestino Espinosa, the pair is preserved in the museum of the Royal Collections Gallery.
Marks of use.
Weight: 980 grams.
Measurements: 10,5 x 40 x 24 cm.

At the end of 1815, the factory was commissioned by the City Council of Madrid to make the pieces for the dresser of the future Queen Maria Isabel de Braganza, second wife of the King, and later in 1823 for Maria Josefa Amalia de Saboya, third wife of King Ferdinand VII.

The Real Fábrica de Platería Martínez was a silversmith school promoted by Carlos III in Madrid. The origin of the Royal Factory was the silversmith Antonio Martínez Barrio, from Huesca, who is known to have worked in Zaragoza around the third quarter of the 18th century, while training in drawing and painting with the Bayeu brothers. In 1774 it is known that he traveled around Europe, especially in Paris and the United Kingdom, learning from the best silversmiths of both countries. When he returned to Spain he created the Martinez School of Silversmithing. Once the Royal Factory was created, a maximum quota of sixteen students was established, the obligation of Antonio Martinez to create the machines and devices necessary for its operation, the obligation of the same to transmit his knowledge to his disciples and the Crown bought a part of the pieces made in gold and silver.