17TH CENTURY

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 to 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. Related varguenos sold at auction include one sold from the collection of Niall Hobhouse, Christie's London, 22 May 2008, lot 249 and another sold Christie’s, London, 31 October 2012, lot 56 (£21,250 with premium). A further related example, formerly in the collection of the Mendoza family, the Dukes of Infantado, El Palacio del Infantado, Guadelajara (according to a paper label found inside), sold 'Living with Art - a Private European Collection’, Christie’s, London, 12 February 2012, lot 785 (£115,250 with premium).