The name of the Arfe family is derived from that of their native village, Harff near Cologne in Germany. They were goldsmiths of genius who worked in Spain during the 16th century.
Enrique de Arfe was the author of a number of admirable monstrances - among the most important of their kind - including that of the monastery of Sahagún in León, that of Cordova cathedral, and, above all, that of Toledo cathedral, a marvelous piece of frankly transitional design. Among other important pieces, the silver monstrance of the Valladolid cathedral was embossed and carved by Juan de Arfe, the grandson of Enrique.