A SPANISH BAROQUE GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED GREY MARBLE AND BROCATELLO BASE CIRCA 1600

This exquisite base, of vase shape and with very refined bronze mounts, uses a specific combination of Spanish brocatello and a white veined grey marble, a combination which is seen at the spiritual and political heart of the Spanish Empire – the Royal Pantheon at the Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial. A masterpiece of the European Baroque, El Escorial was built from the 1560's by Felipe II, who promoted research on local marbles for use there. Of octagon shape, the pantheon is lavishly decorated with the brocatello and the same grey marble as seen in the present lot, embellished by gilt bronze ornaments. Spanish brocatello is the most famous of all Spain's decorative stones and it is found in Catalonia, near Tortosa, and is locally known also as jaspi de la cinta.