Bench, ca. 1890. Cement and trencadís. Provenance:... Lot 41

Bench, ca. 1890. Cement and trencadís. Provenance: Important palace in Barcelona. Measurements: 86 x 133 x 60 cm. The trencadís technique, popularised by Gaudí in Art Nouveau architecture and furniture, has been used. The sinuous lines of the backrest and seat are completely covered in yellow mosaic in combination with black, which is reduced to the inverted truncated pyramid-shaped legs and the outline of the piece of furniture. A recumbent lady is depicted in a medallion in the centre of the backrest. Greek wreathing is combined with synthetic borders and rosettes. Trencadis is a process based on the use of ceramic fragments joined with mortar, with the particularity that they are irregular pieces. Taking up the Mediterranean tradition of using tiles in masonry, Antoni Gaudí created this technique by using waste material from the Pujol i Bausis artistic ceramics factory. He had the invaluable collaboration of Josep Maria Jujol, who created the mosaics and gave them their characteristic personality.