17th Century Furniture (part 21 of 31)

Spain and Portugal
At the beginning of the 17th century, Spain was extremely powerful and ruled over Portugal as well as other parts of Europe. By the end of the century, however, Spain had lost much of the wealth and power, whereas Portugal, now independent from Spain, was enjoying a period of piece and economic stability.
Spain and Portugal were separated from the rest of Europe by the Pyrenees, so influence was predominantly North African, or Moorish. Both countries also had strong economical and political ties with the East, and Oriental and Indian influences can be seen in Iberian furniture.
Indo-Portuguese handmade furniture was made in Goa for Portuguese clients, and also by Indian craftsmen working in Portugal, mainly in Lisbon. Towards the end of the century, the influence of Portuguese furniture had spread to Britain and the Low Countries because of strong trading links between the countries.
The Spanish practice of placing furniture in specific places in a room was also widely adopted.

Spanish Furniture
The Spanish nobility led a relatively nomadic existence, so non fitted furniture had to be portable. The majority of , now reproduction furniture, was made of local walnut. Cabinets, or varguenos, had handles on the sides so that they could be lifted on or lifted off stands. During the 16th century, varguenos had been luxury items, but they became far more common during the 17th century.
Early 17th century varguenos often had geometric decoration, but later in the century they featured architectural motifs and twisted Baroque columns. As in northern Europe, cabinet makers began to incorporate exotic ebony veneers and ivory and tortoiseshell inlays. Chests were replaced by cupboards or trunks. Trunks usually had domed tops, covered in velvet or leather, with pierced metal mounts and elaborate stands.
The folding Renaissance x-frame chair was still popular. Towards the end of the century, craftsmen made their own versions of Louis XIV fauteuils. These had high, shaped backs and elaborately carved stretchers with interlaced scrolls and turned legs. Usually upholstered in fabric or stamped leather, and the upholstery was fastened in place with decorative brass studs.
Spanish chairs usually had scrolled feet rather than the ball feet typical of French chairs. Plain trestle tables, often covered with textiles, remained popular. Spanish side tables had turned legs and distinctive, curved, iron stretchers joined to the cross-bars between the table legs. Many of these tables could be folded, making them portable. Another type of side table had turned, columnar legs joined by low stretchers and an overhanging top.

Spanish and Portuguese beds differed from those in the rest of Europe. Heavy bed curtains were not popular, as Spain and Portugal have a warm climate, so the bedsteads themselves were decorative and quite often then had triangular, carved backboards with turned columns or spindles.