The Moorish lattice work of the Comares baths

The Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife announces the Piece of the Month, the Moorish lattice work of the Comares baths. Those who are interested in participating in this free programme, that will take place from 12 a.m. second, third and fourth Saturday in December, may go to Hall V of the Museum of the Alhambra. There Francisco Javier Serrano Espinosa, doctor of Art History, will explain the details of this interesting work. 
The lattice work was taken down from its original position at the beginning of the 1840s, due to the threat of collapse of the space where it was located. It is the most suitable piece to explain the restoration work carried out in the Nasrid palaces during the 19th century. 
In the first place the space where they were located will be explained, as well as the importance of the royal baths of Comares, their function and the use of the rooms that constituted this area. This will be done by means of general plans of the palaces, as well as of the elevations and sections, such as those of Owen Jones or Girault de Pranguey. Also, the architecture of the Hall of the Beds will be compared with the Mexuar or the tower of Abý-I-Yuyus Nasr (Peinador de la Reina – Queen’s Dressing-room).
In a similar manner, this lattice work will be compared with that of the Two Sisters Hall, and the interlaced ceiling with stained glass inlay in Lindaraja. This will be explained according to the research by the professor of History of Muslim Art in the University of Granada (UGR) Antonio Fernández Puertas.
The place where this was situated was subjected to the transformation undertaken by the baths during the 16th century. There is also the addition of the Sevillian tiles of cuerda seca. The last visual reference we have of the room before it was dismantled and redesigned is the lithograph by Lewis of the Hall of the Beds.
From this time onwards, this space and the lattice work were affected by the restoration work carried out by José Contreras, who dealt with taking the lattice work down from its place. The restoration was completed in 1862, together with the help of his son, Rafael, and it was possible to see diverse aspects of the hall which was restored with the re-polychrome work, the signature of the authors or the face of the walls. 
The dismantled lattice work has been reused in different parts of the Alhambra, and there is reference of it from antique photographs. As an example we have the lattice work in the Hall of the Two Sisters, protecting the vase of the Gazelles.
When: Second, third and fourth Saturday of the month, noon
Where: Room V, Museum of the Alhambra, Palace of Carlos V