A set of Four 18th Century Spanish Embossed Leather Panels.

A set of four exceptional painted and gilded embossed leather panels.

Superbly decorative and rare, these Spanish panels survive from circa 1750.

Dark blue painted field with raised intricate gilded detailing.

Leather panels were used to cover walls as an alternative to wooden panelling or textile hangings. Luxurious effects could be achieved with rich colours and highly patterned surfaces. Often the decoration of these hangings echoed the design of other furnishings in a room, and tied together an interior decorative scheme. The gold swags of scrolling flowering foliage in this panel resemble carved decoration found on gilded French furniture of the early 18th century.  Although areas of the panel appear to be gilded, the precious metal used to create this effect is actually silver. A thin silver foil was applied to the panel and then coated with a layer of yellow varnish to look like gold leaf.

Each mounted in gilt wood frames.

Two measuring 80cm x 61cm framed. The other two marginally smaller at 79cm x 58.5cm

There are areas of repaired tears. some minor losses marks and scratches. Overall these panels are in very good order considering age.