A late 18^th Spanish Colonial silver twin handled bowl, Guatemala circa 1780

Of hemispherical form each side with applied cast handled formed as ribbed C scrolls surmounted by birds. The side engraved with a contemporaneous British crest of a lion’s head erased. Marked to interior with Crown tax mark only.

Length – 16 cm / 6.4 inches

Weight – 148 grams / 4.76 ozt

Items marked with the crown tax mark only (used 1638-1823) are believed to have been made from silver coinage and that the maker or his patron paid the tax due.

A Guatemala cream jug circa 1775, engraved with a crest of arm vested holding a dagger, was sold Sotheby’s New York, 14 Oct 2015, Lot 334 ($16,250 incl. premium)

Collection of Anthony Aston Smith (1929-2010), bought Sotheby’s London, 28 July 1960 (£9 part-lot)