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Lot Essay
Since the sixteenth century, the term damascene has been used in Europe to refer to the various processes employed in the decoration of iron with gold and silver, and occasionally with copper, first used in the Near or Middle east.
Popularly, Plácido Zuloaga is the name associated with the establishment of the damascene industry in Spain around the middle of the 19th century. Born in Madrid, he lived and worked in Eibar, the nothern Basque province. His family was already recorded in 1596 as producing armours and guns. Eusebio Zulaoga, Plácido's father, became Honorary Gunmaker to Her Majesty the Queen of Spain in 1844. In 1845, he exhibited at the Madrid Spanish Industry exhibition where he was awarded a silver medal. Plácido and Eusebion exhibited together at the 1855 Paris Exposition Universelle, many items of which were purchased by Queen Isabel II of Spain. Established in Eibar after 1856, Plácido started to produce damascene items in the 1860's, exhibiting them in all the following Great Exhibitions held in Europe in the second part of the 19th century, and was subsequently awarded many medals. His clientèle included Isabel II, Queen of Spain, the Kings of Portugal and Bavaria, Napoleon III and Alfred Morrison.
Popularly, Plácido Zuloaga is the name associated with the establishment of the damascene industry in Spain around the middle of the 19th century. Born in Madrid, he lived and worked in Eibar, the nothern Basque province. His family was already recorded in 1596 as producing armours and guns. Eusebio Zulaoga, Plácido's father, became Honorary Gunmaker to Her Majesty the Queen of Spain in 1844. In 1845, he exhibited at the Madrid Spanish Industry exhibition where he was awarded a silver medal. Plácido and Eusebion exhibited together at the 1855 Paris Exposition Universelle, many items of which were purchased by Queen Isabel II of Spain. Established in Eibar after 1856, Plácido started to produce damascene items in the 1860's, exhibiting them in all the following Great Exhibitions held in Europe in the second part of the 19th century, and was subsequently awarded many medals. His clientèle included Isabel II, Queen of Spain, the Kings of Portugal and Bavaria, Napoleon III and Alfred Morrison.