SPANISH COLONIAL VILLA ALTA MARQUETRY TREASURE BOX
San Ildefonso Villa Alta, northeastern Oaxaca, Mexico, 18th c.
overall fine marquetry of ocelots, birds, wood vines and sunbursts to each side; hinged lid with interior compartment and drawer below, 6.5"h; 17"w; 11"d
along with book "Taracea Oaxaquena, Colleccion Uso y Estilo, Museo Franz Mayer, Artes de Mexico", 2011. Similar example in Victoria Albert Museum, London. Also the MFA, Boston displays a Villa Alta escritoire.
The conquistadors had a difficult time reaching the high remote region known as the Zapotec Sierra. It required several armed incursions to capture it. The first Hispanic settlement high in the mountains named Villa Alta was founded in 1526 by Diego de Figueroa. Grants of lands, along with the indigenous inhabitants, were given to his close friends. Years of brutal treatment and resistance of the people followed. By the 17th c., the indigenous population had adopted Spanish dress and customs. The carvers, carpenters and joiners took great pride in their craft. They had access to to a wide range of exotic woods, and rich imagery was sourced from European woodcuts and illustrations.
Dividers to upper compartment missing.
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000
Realized: $9,500 - Excluding Buyer's Premium
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Lot 133 : SPANISH COLONIAL VILLA ALTA MARQUETRY TREASURE BOX
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