General Jose Oviedo y Banos (1671 - 1738) - a Venezuelan lighter, 18th centuryOctagonal tinder compartment in fine gold with floral engraving and a fastener in the shape of a monkey's head with diamonds for eyes, attached by means of an engraved belcher chain, the fastener engraved with the owner's name "Sn. Jose Oviedo". The actual tinder covered in green silk, a belcher chain connected en suite to the lower end with a pendant in the shape of an articulated fish (the tail fin replaced). Length of the tinder compartment 8 cm, weight 38 g. José de Oviedo y Baños was an officer and historian. His book "Historia de la conquista y población de la Provincia de Venezuela" is regarded as one of the most important contemporary works on the history of the province Venezuela of the Spanish empire. Published in Madrid in 1723, the book was based on research in Spain's archives, which date back to the time of Columbus. Oviedo joined the Venezuelan army at the age of 18 and was awarded the Knight of the Order of Santiago in 1690. In 1728, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and retired from military service in 1730.Condition: II