SPANISH ARCHITECTURE & FURNITURE

This is the Alhambra in Granada (1309-1354, a key example of Moorish influence and the last Spanish palace built by the Moors.

The Library at El Escorial is a marvelous Spanish Renaissance interior
(see text also p. 290)

An especially interesting example of furniture unique to Spain is the vargueño, a portable writing desk with a drop front, placed on a stand. Note the iron brace between the legs - this is typical of Spanish furniture.

The antique vargueño pictured at right is decorated with etched, gilded, and painted bone. It was for sale on the internet and priced at $55,000 (see europa.1stdibs.com)