The Eagle Table

This walnut table, made by Cristobal Pérez in 1655, is from the Imperial College of Santiago (Colegio Imperial de Santiago) where it may have been used by the students as a refectory table. However, it may also have been used as a table in the Council Room (Sala de Consejos) in Huesca's city hall. It is a late example of the Italian Renaissance style of table that appeared in France and the Netherlands in the second third of the 16th century. There is evidence of this style being used in the Alto Aragon region in the last quarter of the 16th century. It may have spread to Spain through the distribution of prints. This large, 130-inch (330 cm) table is supported by a central crossbar and three widthwise ones, supporting pairs of imposing, outward-facing eagles. Each eagle stands on a lion. These animals may symbolize justice (the eagle) controlling power (the lion). The eagles might also allude to "Imperial" in the institution's name.