Take a seat, please!

Dark green was
one of the colours that was most appreciated at the time, together with black
and orangish-red, being frequently used in Portuguese japanning decorated with
landscapes, birds, figures and Chinese motifs, highlighted in gold and black,
sometimes fairly stylized and fanciful, in an attempt to imitate Oriental
lacquers, a fashion that spread over almost the whole of Europe from the late
17th century onwards, but particularly at the beginning of the following century.      

Armchair (pair)

Red and gold japanned walnut; damask silk Portugal, late 17th century/early 18th century


It is likely that these examples, despite their upholstery in embroidered silk, have had covers placed over the seat and back, on special occasions, a use that lay at the origin of the term 'cadeira de vestir' (dressing chair).

The japanning of the chair’s visible wood, in a shade of red, also made use of small gilded compositions, verging on the miniature with patterns highly stylized, either inspired by the oriental decorative repertoire – rocks, pagodas, grasshoppers and aquatic plants – or based upon European themes – leaves, floral patterns, figures dressed in European clothes, but nonetheless depicted in an oriental style, assuming the naïve and fantastic character of Portuguese japanning.

Armchair

Walnut and damask
Portugal, mid-18th century

This chair belongs to the class of English-influenced models that have a pierced back and a full splat, which, at early 18th century, began to be adopted in Portugal.

The great height of the back, the accentuated curving of the piece, taking the shape of a spoon handle, the agitated shaping of the splat and the artistic value of the carved rocaille decoration gives it a brilliance and an opulence that contrast with the more sober construction and ornamentation of most models of this type.

Writing chair

Rosewood, mahogany and cane
Portugal, middle or third quarter of the 18th century


The type of chair designated by corner chair or study chair with a very special configuration, was introduced in Portugal in the 18th century, together with the English chairs with trapezoid backs, corresponding to the English writing chair, and intended to be used by men.

Its function is essentially linked to the business of writing and the alterations were made to provide greater comfort for the user, by placing the chair’s arms at a greater height and a better mobility for the legs, by situating at the front one of the rounded corners of the seat.

Miniature bureau

Mahogany, redwood and brass
Portugal, late 18th century


This bureau like the other miniature pieces, could corresponded to models or examples produced for examination purposes for cabinetmakers.

It is remarquable for the quality of manufacture and the painstaking attention to detail, care was also taken in this example to include the secret compartment, which here has the form of a small drawer.