A SPANISH GILT METAL-MOUNTED WALNUT AND PARQUETRY ESCRITORIO

CASTILLE, 17TH CENTURY

Details

A SPANISH GILT METAL-MOUNTED WALNUT AND PARQUETRY ESCRITORIO
Castille, 17th Century
The rectangular top and sides inlaid with contrasting geometric motifs, the hinged fall-front mounted with pierced scrolling clasps and centred by a conforming pierced oval lockplate, enclosing a fitted, parcel-gilt bone and walnut architectural interior with fourteen variously-sized drawers, decorated with trellis and foliage, the tall drawers with temple faades and secret base drawers, the lower corners with a trellis-fronted door enclosing a plain interior, the base section with two drawers above two doors, each enclosing a plain interior, the fronts decorated with geometric lozenge motifs, flanked by stop-fluted pilasters and on bun feet, the sides with carrying handles, the top and base associated, the sides decorated to match, restaurations
24 in. (157 cm.) high; 46 in. (117 cm.) wide; 18 in. (47 cm.) deep

Lot Essay

The decoration of raised painted bone panels within the architectural interiors of the escritorio may have been inspired by the design for a faade by Hernn Ruiz in the Libro de Arquitectura, executed around 1600. This example has a closed base section with drawers with carved fronts rather than an open stand. The latter is generally thought to be the earliest type, although both were probably executed throughout most of the 17th Century. Related examples are illustrated in G. Hardendorff Burr, Hispanic Furniture, New York, 1964, (2nd ed.), pp. 138-140, 146-147, 152-158, figs. 129, 132-133, 136-137, 142-148.

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