WROUGHT IRON GRILLE. SPAIN, 16TH CENTURY.

Grille. Wrought iron, 16th century. Partial ironwork of squared bars torsos with moulded incisions without a base and a bolt on the right with a plaque topped with simplified plant elements, topped by a frieze of canvas decorated at the front with plant scrolls alternating with heraldic shields with fleur-de-lis and with an upper crest composed of two flowering pine cones at the outer ends and schematic scrolls with flowers, two of which flank a fleur-de-lis Latin cross with diamonds on which is a wavy cross with flowery finials. Typologically, this is a partial architectural grille with both ornamental and defensive purposes. It also clearly shows some of the striking decorative and typological variety that is common in the grillework of the florid Gothic style of the 15th century, but it also responds to common developments in the 16th century. A first stage of evolution towards the Renaissance is introduced, sometimes going on until the first third of this century, and is characterised, among other things, by the variety of the barring with frequent combinations of squared and coarse shapes in the same bar, by the structure of three panels of very similar width and number of bars and a central door with a lintel, by decorative elements related to the Renaissance, the use of embossing, etc., characteristics that can be appreciated in the present example. The absence of interbody bands, common in grilles of this period, only indicates that it was made to protect a small chapel. The presence of fleurs-de-lis indicates the expansion throughout the peninsula of Catalan models, which, coming directly from France, often showed this decorative element. The relationship between this grille and certain Gothic legacies is clear, especially if compared with fully Renaissance examples such as that of the National Archaeological Museum from 1575 (inventory 57551). Normally, 16th century ironwork is found, if it has been preserved, in the chapel for which it was made, in outstanding private collections or in important museums. Compare this work with the ironwork of the chancel of the Church of San Julián de Nagore (Navarra) or that of the Chapel of the Most Holy of the Cathedral of Santa María la Real in Pamplona.

· Size: hojas 69 x 268 Copete 390 x 110 cms.