Exceptional Early 17th Century Spanish Walnut Vargueno Desk on Stand

An exceptionally fine example of an early 17th Century Spanish renaissance walnut vargueno / bargueno escritorio writing desk on trestle stand.

Spain, Salamanca circa 1600-1630.

This wonderful vargueno is one of the finest we have seen retaining its original cut velvet, gilt iron metal work and key, housed on an early 19th century trestle stand possibly having earlier elements.

The vargueno or bargueno is so called because it was thought to have originated in the village of Bargas in the province of Toledo. It is the earliest form of a writing desk known and was conceived to show the expertise of the Spanish craftsman having such an opulent carved and gilded interior. Spain’s outstanding contribution to the development of European furniture is this cabinet.

Although extremely heavy they were used as a travelling desk within the Spanish global empire and were highly prized as an object of status within the Spanish Courts.

The rectangular walnut cabinet, constructed with fine cuts of dense walnut, having a fall front with velvet-lined pierced and gilt wrought-iron handles, hinges and an elaborate lock and hasp, enclosing a fitted interior with an arrangement of drawers, secret drawers and doors with elaborate parcel-gilt, painted, carved and twisted bone columns, medallions and architectural decoration. The whole housed on an early 19th Century or possibly late 18th century stand or puente with an arcade, ropetwist and baluster uprights above carved sledge feet, the shell carved pulls slide out to support the writing leaf.

It is extremely rare to find a Vargueno retaining areas of the original gilt to the exterior iron work and velvet in such good condition and colour, making this one of finest you will see.

The original shaped iron key locks the central elaborate double hasp which is attached to the top is lifted to stand vertical when in use. There are two sliding bolts to each side housed within pierced metal mounts having decorative lions, which are used to secure the fall front when unlocked and a further two swinging catches to the top. The sides are fitted with carrying handles within hexagon pierced metal mounts.

Similar pieces can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) below…

https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O70533/cabinet-unknown/

Also in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts accession number 1990.614a

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/58781/cabinet-writing-desk-vargueno?ctx=dfc51f3b-ad07-4556-bb70-e493e6b38b68&idx=0

Images shown are of a Vargueno in Domenech & Perez Bueno publication Antique Spanish Furniture.

Many varguenos in these books are in private collections or museums.

Dimensions

Width 41 inches - 104cm

Height 56 inches - 142cm

Depth 18 inches - 46cm

Loveday Antiques is a family run business originally established since 1969 in London.

Now in its second generation, Loveday Antiques specialises in an eclectic mix of 18th to 20th Century European furniture and works of art, with a strong emphasis on quality, uniqueness and colour.

As proud members of BADA & LAPADA, the largest association for professional art and antique dealers in the United Kingdom and members of CINOA, the worldwide association for antique dealers you can buy from us with 100% confidence and reassurance as we are committed to upholding and abiding by the strict standards of each association.

Our clients can rest assured that each item is as described and photographed.

All Items are sold with 100% satisfaction 14 day money back guarantee, return delivery will be charged for.

We deliver within the UK for usually between £60-£80 and ship worldwide with professional bespoke crating via air to almost all locations. Please contact us at Loveday Antiques with your full postal address for a very competitive quote.

Delivery within the mainland UK will usually be with 7 to 14 days but please allow up to 28 days. We also ship worldwide with a professional bespoke crating service and large International couriers via air and sea to almost all locations. Please contact us at Loveday Antiques with your full postal address for a very competitive quote.

GOODS

All items listed are in excellent condition having been restored using traditional methods by experienced cabinet makers and polishers keeping the original colour and patina wherever possible.

Please bear in mind you may find the usual markings with antique furniture that are commensurate with age which all add to beauty and uniqueness of the item.

VIEWINGS

We have a reputation for being long established antique dealers in London having had showrooms concurrently running in Islington, Chelsea and Ascot. We have relocated our new showroom, due to London overheads, easily reached between A1 or A10 to just outside of Hertford, Hertfordshire.

We will happily arrange for clients to be collected travelling via train. Local stations being Hertford North, Stevenage and Ware, all being a 10 minute drive from us.

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We have more than 40 years experience in supplying Antique furniture to the trade, public and interior designers from all parts of the world so please buy with confidence as we have passed the test of time.