Fireplace Plate With Picador. Cast Iron. Spain, Early 20th Century.

Fireback with Picador. Cast iron. Spain, early 20th century.
Cast iron fireback of rectangular shape, decorated with reliefs on the front. The upper part presents a composition of leaves framing a plain shield, which continues on the sides and bottom with a series of lines and other leaves of classical influence in the corners. The front part presents a figurative bullfighting scene, with a picador (or garrochista or varilarguero) giving a lance blow to a bull that charges the rider's horse. This type of piece was already used in the Gothic period and remarkable examples have been preserved, such as the one that appears on the imperial coat of arms of Charles V (dated 16th century; Lázaro Galdiano Museum in Madrid), for example. Although some experts consider heraldry to be the most unusual decoration of these objects, we have also seen pieces with mythological or pastoral scenes, architectural elements, religious motifs, etc. In addition to being an interesting decoration due to its historical value for the study of bullfighting, it is worth highlighting the quality and depth of the reliefs it presents. -
Dimensions: 53x74x2.5 cm