Choir stalls; Balmaseda, Basque Country, XVI century.

Choir stalls; Balmaseda, Basque Country, XVI century.
Carved walnut wood.
Measurements: 150 x 104 x 52 cm.

Set of two folding seats belonging to a choir stalls, a characteristic typology of liturgical furniture in 16th century Spain. Intended for use by the clergy during the recitation of the divine office, these structures were arranged in the choirs of churches and monasteries, configuring hierarchically ordered spaces according to the dignity of their occupants. The piece, made of walnut wood, a material prized for its strength and quality for carving, presents a solid and functional construction, in which the folding system of the seats responds to practical and ritual needs. This element made it possible to alternate between the seated and standing positions, facilitating the liturgy.

From the stylistic point of view, it is part of the Hispanic Renaissance, with a sober decoration, in accordance with regional productions. Balmaseda, an important enclave on the trade routes of the northern peninsular, participated in the artistic currents of the time, integrating Castilian and European influences in its workshops. These chairs not only fulfilled a utilitarian function, but were also a reflection of the symbolic and communitarian order of the church, where the arrangement, number and quality of the seats expressed the internal structure of the chapter.