Urquiza, Domingo de

Urquiza, Domingo. ?, 1730 – 1806. Bronzeworker and silversmith for the Royal Household.

Born in the bishopric of Osuna (Seville), he was a metalworker for the Royal Household from 1793 onwards. His family was also engaged in the same trade (Ildefonso and Manuel). He appears to have settled at the Royal Court around the time when he was a member of the Guild of Silversmiths of San Eloy in Madrid. He began his career at court in 1750 and worked alongside the Italian bronzeworkers Ferroni, Vendetti and Giardoni. In 1770 he was commissioned to create a design for the crown and halo of Our Lady of Montesa of the Church of Valencia. In 1793 he produced several objects for the Royal Household, including bronze ornaments for four chests of drawers for the royal bedroom, frames and chairs for El Escorial, as well as eight tables for the Palace of Madrid. In 1795, he carved a table of fine wood for the Queen at the Palace of El Escorial. Between 1797 and 1805, he applied for the post of appraiser of the Royal Household. He marked his creations with an abbreviated version of his surname, VRQ/ ZA, sometimes with a crown and sometimes without.

Source: Royal Academy of History