SPAIN, SECOND HALF 16TH CENTURY

Details

A MUDEJAR IVORY-INLAID WALNUT CABINET (ESCRITORIO)
SPAIN, SECOND HALF 16TH CENTURY
The fall-front enclosing seven drawers and compartments, decorated with further floral vases in niches, the top opening to reveal a large compartment, with two iron carrying handles, later lock and key, on later stand
15 ¾ in. (40 cm.) high; 26 in. (66 cm.) wide; 13 ¼ in. (33.5 cm.) deep, excluding stand

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Sale room notice

Brought to you by

Charlotte Young

cyoung@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2730

Lot Essay

This cabinet (escritorio) illustrates the art of cabinet-making in Spain in the 16th century. Its finely inlaid decoration displays floral vases and elements of architecture that are inspired by contemporaneous Renaissance motifs. However the fan-shaped carnations rising from the bulbous vases are strongly Ottoman in style, such as examples found on Turkish ceramics and textiles. This combination of styles is a common feature of Spanish Mudejar art. Whilst the Ottoman influence is clearly felt - these motifs would have circulated along Mediterranean trade routes – the technique of ivory and hardwood inlay is a mediaeval local Spanish technique known as taracea which flourished under the Nasrids of Andalusia.

An impressive fall-front cabinet with similar decoration is in the Hispanic Society, New York dated to the mid-16th century (Maria Paz Aguilo Alonso, El Mueble en Espaňa, siglos XVI-XVII, Madrid, 1993, cat.193, p.276) and another, dated circa 1560-1600 is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (294-1870).

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