Baroque Style "Pata de Lira" Trestle Table
Spain
18th Century
Walnut and wrought iron
Cm 85 high x 145 wide x 85 deep
A beautifully conserved Spanish writing table with mixtilinear “pata de lira” (lyre-shaped legs) displaying zig-zagging curves and undulations, in the Baroque style that became popular during the reign of Charles II in the second half of the 17th century. The tabletop consists of two thick planks, one quite wide, the other narrower adding to the overall width of the table. The trestle leg sections are attached to the tabletop with sliding dovetail joints, and are assembled with an “atarugado” technique using only wooden dowels, with no metal screws or nails. The table has two generous drawers of equal size, their fronts framed with a raised molding, each having a wooden drawer pull. The table is of heavy weight and very sturdy.
