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Lot Essay
The Mendoza family, whose lineage goes back to the 11th century, was linked to the Spanish Monarchy, and received titles of nobility and considerable inheritances for their services to the Crown. The Mendozas reached the height of their power and influence during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. Diego Hurtado de Mendoza (1417-1479) who built the Castle of Manzanares el Real, was a man greatly trusted by Ferdinand and Isabella, and was given the title of Duque del Infantado. Later the seat of the Dukes of the Infantado moved to the Palacio del Infantado in Guadalajara, built by the second Duke, ÍIñigo López de Mendoza y Luna (1438-1500).
This form of writing desk on chest, most probably originating from Salamanca, is discussed by María Aguiló Alonso in El Mueble en España (Madrid, 1993). Different arrangments of drawers, doors, carving and decoration are identified and this model conforms with closely related example identified as type 'C' (op. cit., p. 123, cat. 219). A similar vargueno is illustrated in L. Feduchi, El Mueble Español, Barcelona, 1969, p. 123, fig. 106; and p. 129, fig. 116. The lion-fretted iron-work also features on a related cabinet acquired in 1864 by the Victoria & Albert Museum, and discussed by J. H. Pollen, Ancient and Modern Furniture, 1876 (p.78). Related varguenos were sold from the collection of Niall Hobhouse, Christie's London, 22 May 2008, lot 249; at Christie's New York, 22 April 2008, lot 127, with the base gilded over; at Christie's London, 10 November 2005, lot 105; at Christie's New York, 25-26 September 2001, lot 213; and at Sotheby's London, 22 May 1987, lot 150.
This form of writing desk on chest, most probably originating from Salamanca, is discussed by María Aguiló Alonso in El Mueble en España (Madrid, 1993). Different arrangments of drawers, doors, carving and decoration are identified and this model conforms with closely related example identified as type 'C' (op. cit., p. 123, cat. 219). A similar vargueno is illustrated in L. Feduchi, El Mueble Español, Barcelona, 1969, p. 123, fig. 106; and p. 129, fig. 116. The lion-fretted iron-work also features on a related cabinet acquired in 1864 by the Victoria & Albert Museum, and discussed by J. H. Pollen, Ancient and Modern Furniture, 1876 (p.78). Related varguenos were sold from the collection of Niall Hobhouse, Christie's London, 22 May 2008, lot 249; at Christie's New York, 22 April 2008, lot 127, with the base gilded over; at Christie's London, 10 November 2005, lot 105; at Christie's New York, 25-26 September 2001, lot 213; and at Sotheby's London, 22 May 1987, lot 150.