Black Bedroom

Once past the Main Staircase, we find the western and eastern wings on either side. We choose the left side to visit the “lived-in house“, as the curators of the Palacio de Viana like to call it.

The first room we will visit is one intended to host guests: the Black Bedroom, named after the dark tone of its furniture, such as the black lacquered pieces with paintings and mother-of-pearl inlays in the Filipino tradition, reflecting a taste for the distant and the exotic.

Decoration and Textiles

On the ceiling, an elegant pink opaline lamp lights the room from its center. Also noteworthy is a wonderful carpet made at the Royal Tapestry Factory, decorated with cresting and various vegetal motifs matching the curtains and furniture.

Furniture and Artworks

The furniture in the Black Bedroom consists of seventeen papier-mâché and wood pieces in the Napoleon III style from the 19th century. Of particular note is a Royal Bed with its corresponding canopy, decorated with flowers, garlands, and landscapes, where rich polychromy and gilding blend into the dark tones of the background. At the front head of the bed, there is a vanity console with a green opaline basin, pitcher, and spittoon. Above it hangs a framed embroidery of birds by Francisca Glanadell. Four small portraits and two landscapes with mother-of-pearl details complete the pictorial decoration of the bedroom, one of which is “The Laureate Artilleryman“, signed by Antonio María Esquivel. Below these, a chiffonnier stands out.

Unique Pieces

Among all the rich and carefully selected furnishings of the Black Bedroom, I would like to conclude by highlighting two pieces that, in our opinion, are of special interest. The first is a small Isabelline-style chair dating back to the 19th century, which, like the bed, is made of black lacquered wood and decorated with golden, polychrome motifs and mother-of-pearl inlays. The second is an armchair made from molded pressed paper or papier-mâché, also from the 19th century; with enveloping arms, it features a splendid urban landscape on its backrest. Several authors suggest that some of these works may have been created for the great Universal Expositions of Paris or London held during the second half of the 19th century.

Visiting the Palacio de Viana

If you are wondering what to do in Córdoba, we recommend visiting the Palacio de Viana by booking one of our guided tours. There, we will dedicate a special section to the Black Bedroom. Choose quality tourism with qualified staff—don’t hesitate, ArtenCórdoba is the best option.

Text: J.A.S.C.