Spanish Colonial Silver

Spanish Colonial Silver Plate of the Industrialist Jose Tomas Urmeneta

This dinner plate or dish of heavy, cast solid silver would have been part of a much larger, commissioned dining service. The underside is stamped with the letters ‘JT Urmeneta’, now doubt the commissioner of the service.

Joseph Thomas Urmeneta (Santiago de Chile, 1808 – Limache, 1878) was of Basque ancestry. He was a prominent 19th century Chilean politician and industrialist. His business empire encompassed Chilean railways and mines. He was also the principal owner of the Santiago Gas Company.

He was also a member of the National Congress of Chile, the Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies. He also held a seat on the Council of State.

He was also a prominent philanthropist, endowing churches and hospitals.