Travel cabinet known as a "Bargueno" with its original base

Origin : Spain, Vargas, Toledo region
Period : 17th Cenutry


Total height : 141 cm

Cabinet
Height : 62.5 cm
Length : 104 cm
Depth : 41 cm

Chest
Height : 79 cm
Length : 104 cm
Depth : 42 cm

Polychromed walnut wood , ivory and bone
Perfect condition
Original hinges, locks and keys


Closed, the Bargueno presents a facade with side sockets closed by hasp lock, embellished with a plate whose contours are gracefully shaped as a coat of arms, and several plates of gilded iron, applied on a red velvet. Two slide bolts on each side ensure the closure.

The drop front, when open, rests on two slides decorated with a scallop shell. In this position, it recovers its first vocation. When the Bargueno appeared in Spain, it was used to write as well as it acted as a storage-cabinet. Indeed it has a set of double doors and no less than twelve drawers decorated with geometric motifs of painted ivory, gilded wood and gilded bone columns, worked in spirals.

The multiple drawers and doors of this bargueno are arranged in three registers.
In the upper register, four drawers.
In the middle register, four central drawers superimposed by pairs are framed by two lateral doors.

The lower register consists on its edges of two superimposed drawers, and at its center, of a single drawer with a secret one in its.

The polychromed and gilded drawers have ivory inlays in a geometric pattern while the side doors have an architectural decor, combining portico with pediment flanked by twin columns on a moulded base.

Intended to be movable, it has on its sides wrought iron handles that allow to dispose it on its base. This base, commode shaped, opens with two doors and two superimposed drawers, all decorated in the same manner, a geometric pattern with a central lozenge. It is framed with a frieze of triangle ivory inlays.
On the closed cabinet, each lock, inscribed in an square or geometrical form, is underlined by an openwork iron ornament on a red velvet background.


This piece of furniture has now become very rare. Really characteristic of Spanish art, it is one of the original contribution from Spain to European furniture.