King José I coach

Ceremonial vehicle built for King José I, exalting the strenght of Royal Power, portrait by an eagle.

The gilt and red carved woodwork is attributed to José de Almeida and Félix Vicente de Almeida.

On the upper rear panel is a painting by Cirilo Volkmar Machado. The decoration is inspired by Louis XIV and Louis XV styles in an interpretation of Portuguese characteristics.

Its body is closed with glass windows. The red and gilt woodwork is a very lavish decorative work of art. Of special note, on the rear upper panel is an eagle, an emblem of the Royal Power, above a mixture of festoons, volutes, atlases, fruit and flower garlands and winged spirits.

Displayed on the front panels, are human heads with distinct features of South American Indians clearly evoking the connection of the Portuguese with the new world.

The interior is lined in red velvet and the Portuguese Royal Coat of Arms appears on the hood.