SPANISH DESK (BARGUEÑO). WOOD, METAL. 17TH CENTURY.

A writing desk or wastepaper basket with a bridge base. Wood, metal. Spanish School, 17th century. It needs some restorations. Bargueño or covered wastepaper basket located on a support of the type known as "bridge foot" due to its shape, made of carved wood and decorated with reliefs of architectural and vegetal elements of Classicist influence, vases, spherical finials and twisted columns (two larger ones on the sides of the bridge and two more flanking each of them, these combining fluted columns at the top with twisted elements at the bottom). On the outside, the wastepaper basket is decorated with cut-out metal appliqués (with simplified geometric and vegetal elements) set on textile, with handles, shell-shaped nails, handles, knobs, etc. and a bolt in the center with architectural elements clearly reminiscent of the Baroque. When opening the front, the sample is seen, with three levels and several streets (which do not correspond between these heights), with drawers with shell-shaped knobs and simple panels, and others with columns and metal knobs of the same shape, and chapels with architectural motifs on the front, combining golden elements with polychrome motifs. These pieces of furniture are one of the most common and appreciated styles of the 17th-century Castilian school, and their influence remained strong well into the 20th century. The exterior decorations and the arrangement of drawers and chapels within varied. The personality of the Spanish style was so strong in the 17th century that it prevented the penetration of foreign influences, especially from France due to the poor diplomatic situation at the time. This had a significant influence on the rest of Europe, where French models predominated. The 17th century was a period of decadence in Spain, and this was greatly reflected in furniture. There were no pieces as luxurious as in other countries, a fact also determined by the pragmatic anti-luxury dictated by the monarchs. However, Spanish furniture of the Baroque period displayed considerable quality, enormous personality, and, above all, great interest in terms of typology and the pursuit of functionality over decoration. It is also worth noting the growing appreciation of furniture compared to the previous century. Considering the inventories of goods, significant changes are seen, with furniture becoming even more expensive than tapestries during the time of Charles II.

· Size: 97x46x145 cms.