Desk and table; Salamanca, early 17th century.

Desk and table; Salamanca, first of the seventeenth century.
Walnut wood and carved and gilded bone.
Preserves key.
Presents restorations and damages caused by xylophagous.
Measurements: 48 x 87 x 37 cm; 74 x 88 x 46 cm.
The bargueño has a structure of architectural type, usual in the Spanish bargueños of the Baroque period. The cabinet is raised on four flattened spherical legs that support the base. The front is organized with multiple drawers, of various formats, which give variety and decorative value to the piece of furniture. All the drawers have a lock and are decorated with carved geometric borders. This apparently unequal arrangement is common in Salamanca's bargueños, also in those called "de columnillas". The shadows created by the moldings at some points, the movement of the iron fittings, etc. are all details that clearly show that this example belongs to the 17th century, far removed from the "small column" desks, but still maintaining some details of this tradition. This type of desk would continue to be made in Spain until the 19th century due to the strength and appreciation that was (and is) given to the typology, related to other European examples but always maintaining a series of very particular characteristics and lines.
The bargueño stands on a table made according to baroque models.