Door from the guildhall of the Zunft zu Spinnwettern (building trade workers' guild)

Description

In the late C16 the interior of the house of the Basle guild 'zu Spinnwettem' (building trade workers) in the Eisengasse was refurbished. The main room on the first floor was supplied with a splendid door and corresponding panelling in 1593. Straightening of the street in 1839 made it necessary to tear the guild's house down. Only the door with its carvings and inlay was preserved; it is the only evidence of the room's interior decoration and an outstanding example of the art of woodworking in Basle during the late Renaissance. Corinthian columns and carved volutes resembling herms flank the door and carry the complicated lintel or attic. In the middle is a cartouche with an inscription which carries details of the redecoration of the guildhall and the names of the officials and master of the guild in office in 1593. The arms of the guild and the coats of arms of the officials mentioned decorate the broken pediment over the attic; there is also, hidden behind the left hand capital, an unidentified coat of arms, which should be interpreted as the signature of the master carpenter who executed the work.