17th-century Spanish "bargueño" Travelling Cabinet, Spanish Baroque Style

Spanish travelling cabinet, also known as a "bargueño", dating from the 17th century. This emblematic piece of Spanish cabinetmaking served as a travelling chest, a writing desk, and a security box.

It is veneered in walnut and features two vertical rows of three drawers on the front, with a central recessed door concealing four drawers.

The front, designed as an architectural portal, is framed by four Solomonic columns veneered in red tortoiseshell and topped with gilt capitals. A central gilt bronze medallion depicts a mythological scene (Hercules slaying a creature) against a black niche background. The gilt bronze ornamentation includes cherubs, atagrabes, vine scrolls, human-faced mascaron and rocaille and leaf motifs.

The cabinet is decorated with walnut veneer and light wood arabesque inlays, topped with tortoiseshell cartouches in reddish tones. The top and drawer surrounds feature fine marquetry with light wood fillet inlays forming continuous scrolls and arabesques. The escutcheons are in gilt bronze. The locks are original; the three keys are later.

The cabinet rests on a later-period stand with turned black bun feet.

In good condition.