Dear Friends,

We are pleased to present to you the catalogue of our auction 169. A special auction, covering, as usual, a wide range of art pieces of particular quality, rarity and antiquity.

Special emphasis to the “Cross culture” works of art, particularly Lusíada Art - art pieces which were commissioned in the time of the Portuguese Discoveries from Africa to the Far East – a crossover between Portuguese art and culture and the art and culture, beliefs, traditions, styles and craftsmanship of India (Indo-Portuguese Art), Ceylon (Singhalese-Portuguese Art), China (Sino-Portuguese Art) or Japan (Namban Art) – to name just a few countries with which we closely related to since the 16th century.

Within this setting, particular reference is due to two pieces of indisputable significance and importance: a Singhalese-Portuguese carved ivory large box with silver applications and mounts, 17th century (mid) which illustrates our catalogue cover (lot 697) and an Indo-Portuguese sissoo table with ivory inlays and intertwined gilt copper mounts, 17th century (lot 700).

Two other remarkable and later examples – from the 18th and 19th centuries – of the continuity, through time and space, of that old tradition of Portuguese commissioned art in the Orient are the 18th century Chinese glass painting (lot 174), copying the famous painting of the Marquis of Pombal with the reconstruction plans of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake and the commemorative fan, painted paper, ivory and tortoiseshell, portraying D. João VI, King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves on the throne, also commissioned in China, now for the Brazilian market, at the beginning of the 19th century (lot 25).

Western Art is, as usual, widely represented through a significant set of pieces, including Portuguese painting, furniture, silverware and jewellery – such as the pair of platinum earrings set with 2 diamonds of 7,50 ct. (lot 279) – and foreign pieces such as the baroque carved and gilt console with coloured glass applications and marble top, French, 18th century (lot 560), the pair of twelve-light candelabra with gilt bronze sculptural set, French, 19th century (lot 913) and the large Victorian table clock, tortoiseshell veneered with gilt bronze applications, English, 19th century (lot 804).

More recent but no less exotic, the japanned display cabinet, Brazilian rosewood with ivory and mother-of-pearl inlaid decoration, French, 19th century (lot 831).

Finally, a reference to the most recent publication of our partner SCRIBE entitled "The Frescos of the Ajuda Royal Palace, 1796-1833 – Images of Power" by João Vaz, now available on SCRIBE and in the stores of Portuguese Museums.

Hoping to have the pleasure of welcoming you soon, with our best regards,

Pedro Maria de Alvim                                                     Miguel Cabral de Moncada