Large baroque niche, XVIII century.

Large baroque niche, XVIII century.
Interior transformed into a bookcase.
Pine wood carved by hand and polychrome with fine gold.
On wooden base lined with green felt (XX century).
It is in good condition, although it shows wear and some lack of polychrome.
Measurements: 230 x 200 x 40 cm. (furniture); 20 x 190 x 32 cm. (pedestal).

Niche of late baroque period, of great proportions and remarkable quality in its carving. Made of pine wood, its floral and foliated proliferations have been carved and gilded in fine gold. Its structure is architectural but it is entirely transfigured by the ornamental exuberance typical of the time. Thus, on a base with the front advanced in plan and molded profiles, the façade rises with an interior semicircular arch and two pilasters on which sits a cantilevered cornice. Around the interior arch there is a carved and gilded festoon with strings of flowers alternating with acanthus, topped on the keystone with a scallop. The same motif is repeated with variations on the columns, both flanked by a voluptuous cresting based on volutes, rockery motifs and sensual foliage. Likewise, the crest crowns the piece with a double acanthus leaf bordered with counterpoints and scallops carved in such a way that they draw attractive waves. The whole, in spite of the ornamental display, is subsumed by criteria of harmony, to a symmetrical order.