Dear Friends,
We are pleased to present to you the catalogue of our auction 171. A special auction, covering, as usual, a wide range of pieces of particular quality, rarity and antiquity.
The 1969 "Lisbon and the Tagus", a bright oil on canvas by CARLOS BOTELHO which in a particularly cheerful way captures the light, the colours and the spirit of this city, illustrates the cover (lot 145). In addition to two other works by the same author (lots 150 and 153), "Le Déguisement Courtois" by Júlio Pomar (lot 149) and the works by Júlio Resende (lot 144), Eduardo Viana (lot 142), Carlos Reis (lot 134) and the Morgado de Setúbal (lots 113 and 129) are also noteworthy.
Still in the domain of Portuguese culture, a reference to the remarkable 15th and 16th centuries set of historical manuscripts, acquired in a London auction in 1976 and now reoffered in Portugal: the Regimento do Armador-Mor, of King D. Manuel I, dated 1507, identical to the one delivered to D. Álvaro da Costa (lot 241), Regal letters signed by King D. João II (lot 239), King D. João III (lot 240) and Queen D. Catarina during the minority of King D. Sebastião I (lot 241) and above all, the letter from Cardinal-King D. Henrique I concerning the redemption of the 80 Portuguese nobles made captives after the battle of Alcácer-Kibir iheld in Morocco in 1578. A document whose meaning and importance is clearly stated in the essay reproduced in the catalogue (lot 242).
Among the items of international interest, it is important to refer, for its rarity and value, the ring set with an exceptional cushion cut blue "Paraíba” tourmaline with the weight of 23.71 carats (lot 264).
A reference is also due to the significant collection of Chinese porcelain, silverware and jewellery, Portuguese and foreign furniture, as, for example, the Queen D. Maria I pair of large mirrors (lot 727) and various other pieces of haute-décoration, as the 19th C. crystal & wooden frame “Diamond tip” armchair (lot 437) or the 19th C. European Four Seasons sculptures (lot 749).
In the domain of Lusíada Art - commissioned art pieces from 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 (Chinese-Portuguese Art) or Japan (Namban Art) – to name just a few countries with which we closely related to since the 16th century – several pieces are presented, particularly the 16th century Chinese-Portuguese ivory plaque, depicting “The Holy Family's flight into Egypt with Our Lady breast-feeding the Child Jesus” (lot 526).
Finally, a reference to the more recent publication of our partner SCRIBE by Teresa Leonor M. Vale, entitled "ART AND DIPLOMACY – the Roman experience of King D. João V’s Ambassadors" which will be presented on September 18 at 6:00 pm at the National Museum of Ancient Art.
Hoping to have the pleasure of welcoming you soon, with our best regards,
Pedro Maria de Alvim Miguel Cabral de Moncada