Gaspar Homar

GASPAR HOMAR I MEZQUIDA (Bunyola, Mallorca, 1870–Barcelona, 1953).
Modernist sideboard, ca. 1900–1910.
Carved and turned hardwoods, with marquetry, brass hardware, and brass accents. Marble top, beveled glass panel, and glass-paned doors.
Comes with a key.
Exhibits sligthly wear consistent with age and use.
Measurements: 170 x 127 x 47 cm.

Designed as a unified composition, the sideboard combines architectural elegance with rich ornamentation. Its symmetrical structure is centered around a glass-fronted section, flanked by two cabinets and crowned by a large rectangular glass panel. The pink marble top adds brightness and has hallmarks of contrast with the warm tones of the wood, while the open side compartments soften the solidity of the piece.

The decoration draws inspiration from the characteristic plant motifs of Modernism: sinuous stems, stylized leaves, curved outlines, and floral finials with a pronounced verticality. Particularly noteworthy are the marquetry on the side panels, delicately integrated into the surface, and the brass hardware—hinges, handles, and keyholes—conceived as an essential part of the design.

The piece reflects Gaspar Homar’s refined approach to furniture design, in which cabinetmaking, marquetry, metalwork, and architectural elements come together in a harmonious whole. Homar was one of the great cabinetmakers and interior designers of Catalan Modernism and the creator of notable interiors, including those of Casa Lleó Morera. His work is preserved in institutions such as the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya and the Casa Lis Art Nouveau and Art Deco Museum.