Connected Royal Oficios (offices): Furriera, Upholstery and Guardajoyas

Abstract

As a general rule, during 18^th century the production and treatment of furniture within the Spanish court was determined by the characteristics of the raw materials used for its construction, mainly the wood and the textile.

The pre-eminance of one of these materials explained the management of furniture by different Oficios (offices) of the Royal Household. If wood was considered the key element, the furniture would be managed by the Furriera. When a textile was the most outstanding element, the Tapicería was the Oficio in charge of it. The presence of rich elements such as gold, silver or precious stones meant that the Guardajoyas was also involved. Therefore, it can be established that there was a close collaboration between the different workers of the Royal household.

However, materials were not always the reason why a furniture was going to be managed by one Oficio or another so, occasionally, function and/or type of furniture were also the key elements that determined its management.