Set of four altarpiece pilasters; Spain, 17th century.

Set of four altarpiece pilasters; Spain, 17th century.
Carved, gilded, and polychrome wood.
Measurements: 108 x 19 x 6 cm (x4).
This set consists of four pilasters from a 17th-century Spanish altarpiece, designed as architectural elements to structure and frame the sections of the altarpiece. Crafted from carved, gilded, and polychrome wood, they feature an elegant composition of rectangular shafts decorated with recessed panels and composite capitals, enriched with volutes, acanthus leaves, and plant motifs in high relief. In the central part of each pilaster, carved ornamental elements in the form of scrolls and phytomorphic motifs stand out, adding dynamism and variety to the design.
These pieces fully embody the decorative language of 17th-century Spanish Baroque, a period when altarpiece architecture reached extraordinary heights of development from both structural and ornamental perspectives. The use of water gilding, combined with polychromy and the chromatic contrast between the backgrounds and the moldings, helped enhance the overall lighting effects, transforming the altarpiece into a true visual focal point within the liturgical space. Beyond their architectural function, the pilasters constitute a magnificent example of the technical refinement of Spanish workshops specializing in carving and gilding, capable of integrating sculpture, architecture, and decoration into a unified style of great artistic richness. Preserved as a unified whole, they retain the harmony of their proportions and their stylistic coherence—a rare occurrence.