Table with Inlaid Bone Decoration, Spain, 16th Century

Portapaz. Silver in its color and gilded. Century XVI. Portapaz made of silver that has a handle (decorated with delicate plant motifs similar to those of the pilasters) and a female and a male bust at the bottom, as well as other architectural elements on the back, and, on the front, an architectural composition classicist basement (with busts flanking a flower and a cross), two pilasters (vegetal decoration and capital recalling the composite order) with entablature (flowers flanking an angel's head; moldings), and a semicircular arch finish with elements veined in relief under cross and flanked by two architectural motifs in the upper part. This composition frames and enhances a gilt silver relief where you can see the Lament or Cry over the Body of Christ, with the Virgin holding the head of Jesus, Saint John at her side, the Magdalene and other characters, a cross following the group and a landscape background with houses and plant elements. This architectural structure mentioned is similar to the one present in other 16th century portapaces, such as that of the Magdalena de Dos Hermanas parish (Hernando de Ballesteros el Mozo, around 1575); or that of the Galaroza parish (same author and date); or that of the portapaz of San Miguel de Jerez de los Caballeros (in some details); etc. As for the relief, it is possible to clearly see a strong Italian influence, and the similarity between it and important pieces such as the Portapaz known as “de Cisneros by Juan de Burgos (1493-1497; MuseoCatedralicio de Alcalá de Henares), as well as in paintings and reliefs. Also noteworthy are both the male and female busts in the lower area and the Maltese cross (or Saint John's) that appears in this area. This symbol was used since the 12th century as an insignia by the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, also known as the Order of Malta...

Typologically, it is a partial architectural grating with an ornamental and defensive purpose at the same time. Likewise, it clearly shows some of the striking decorative and typolog...

Catavinos or scrapie. Silver in its color. Spain, 16th Century. With contrast marks, illegible. Cup without foot or handles, in silver in its color and with a circular base, flar...

Also known as "catavinos", this type of drinking cups were used on special occasions (ceremonies ...), hence their material and the decoration they have, and were very common during the reign of the Habsburgs in Spain. Although they were objects of civil use, it was not strange that they were donated or ordered for their use in churches or in liturgical areas. Both the decoration and the shape of the cup show the origin of the same artistic core away from the main silversmith centers. Compare, for example, with the "bernegal" with handles in the form of cartons from the Museo del Prado in Madrid (catalog O00085) made in the late 16th century, which presents the upper part carved in concave double gallons and shows vegetable prints...

The relief was probably a door of the Sagrario. The piece follows a customary decoration in the tabernacles of the Renaissance and the Baroque. Compare, for example, with the sevente...

Male head. Carved stone. Century XVI. Carved stone relief showing a male face turned to the right. It is necessary to highlight both the quality of the fac...

16th Century Italian round table made of burl walnut wood. A column and three legs made of the same type of wood is holding the top, which is cut into pie shapes.  

An impressive and illustrated 16th century Spanish walnut writing table, exemplifying unparalleled craftsmanship. The exquisite detailing on the legs, stretchers, and even on the bot...

16th Century German oak monk's bench / centre table Rare 16th Century German oak monk's bench / centre table, the near circular twin boarded top with underside locators pegged to sha...

19th Century Spanish kitchen work table with drawer and iron decorations.

Late 19th- early 20th century Ceylonese ( British Colonial / Anglo Indian ) bone inlaid specimen table from British Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka).

In the beginning the table was a movable furniture with removable feet, easy to build and disassemble. Most of the 15th and 16th century tables are built following the Roman cartibula principles that is a plate standing on two large stands secured by a crossbar. The lengthy and elegant plate of this Italian Renaissance palace table...