WEDDING CHEST. WOOD, TEXTILE, METAL, REMAINDERS OF POLYCHROMY. SALAMANCA AREA, SPAIN, 17TH CENTURY.

Ark. Carved wood, metal, textile, remains of polychrome. Salamanca area, 17th century. Chest with a rectangular body with a flat lid made of carved wood that preserves remains of original polychrome, corner pieces and other metal fittings and textile details in certain places. It is decorated on the outside with a molding in its lower area based on curved motifs and a simple carved decoration of a plant theme arranged according to a rigid symmetry highlighting an inscription in capital letters on the front ("Viva María / Fernandez") alluding to the owner. original of the piece. The interior has no decoration or elements other than the hardware parts of the corresponding hinges and the exposed wood. The flat-topped ark model, with a rectangular shape, was very common in Spanish art since the Middle Ages, varying in its decorative elements as time and styles progressed. The metal elements of the furniture (corner corners on red textile, lock shield on the front, hinges on the inside, handles on the sides to move it, etc.) have a decoration of waves and finishes that refer to Baroque models, as well as columns (flanking the keyhole). The carved decoration on the front (simplified flowers, stems, leaves and perched birds, with simple polychrome in three colors - red, green, yellow) is not too fine (something common in popular examples), and follows a very common in the popular coffers of the Salamanca area, the use of walnut being common for their creation (as in all Spanish furniture, due to the resistance of the wood and its abundance at that time). Adding a female name in capital letters on the front (a detail that would indicate that the present piece of furniture is a chest made to store a wedding trousseau, hence the abundance of decoration in a popular utilitarian piece and the presence of a lock with a key) is another element to highlight in this piece of furniture. A similar model is mentioned in one of the most used reference books on Spanish furniture, ENRIQUEZ ARRANZ, Maria Dolores. Spanish furniture in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. 1951. p. 39; Cat. 74; The m. 74; Beautiful example of a chest or bridal ark, popular Spanish style from the 17th century, with rudimentary carvings forming a series of stems, flowers and animals. It is polychrome and bears the name of its owner in the center: 'Viva María Hernández', .

· Size: 58x162x65 cms.