Bargueño with archimesa. Mexico 17th century. Lot n° 93

Bargueño with archimetry. Mexico s.XVII. In red cedar. Inlaid with mother of pearl, shell, ivory. European archimedean late XIXth century. Measurements: 86,5 x 115 x 50 cm (bargueño); 181 x 127 x 59,5 cm (total). Mexican Baroque bargueño, in red cedar wood, with the front organised in a geometric and proportionate scheme following contemporary Spanish models, but with a great decorative development based on inlay and incrustations on shell sheets. A central niche with a round statuette between Solomonic columns and a venera-shaped vault is flanked by two drawer rails on each side, as well as two upper drawers. Mother-of-pearl inlays line the central oval of each drawer and border the keyholes with small rosettes. The upper gallery with baluster is also lined with mother-of-pearl on its openwork runner. The niche conceals drawers inside, with ivory plaques inlaid and chiselled with floral designs. Ebonised mouldings trim the lower ledge, which is also decorated with mother-of-pearl-embellished shell ovals. The bargue rests on ball-and-claw feet, a typical European Baroque motif.