Portuguese silver Shaped as traditional terracotta ewers Plain surface of domed cover and volute handle with inverted pear shaped lid pommel Engraved armorial to body Lisbon assay-mark (L-25.0) attributable to Vitorino dos Santos Pereira datable to 1727-1755 and maker's mark (L-395.0) attributable to José de Sousa Teles referred 1754 (signs of wear and some dents) The shape of these rare ewers is identical to one published in Prof. Reinaldo dos Santos work "Ourivesaria Portuguesa nas colecções particulares". Similar pieces can also be found at Lamego's, Oporto's and Évora's Cathedrals The engraved armorials (unidentified) are equally engraved in the 85 piece dinner set, dating from the mid 18th and early 19th century, known as the "Alegrete dinner set" that was auctioned at "Dinastia" in Lisbon on the 25th march 1999. Literature: Reinaldo dos Santos "Ourivesaria Portuguesa nas colecções particulares" pp. 48-49 F. Moitinho de Almeida/Rita Carlos "Inventário de Marcas de Pratas Portuguesas e Brasileiras" séc. XV a 1887 pp. 107, 173 Provenance: Counts of Tarouca and Marquesses of Alegrete collection (until 1975) Height: 44 cm 5787 g