Candelabrum
- Place of origin:
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Sequeira, Domingos António de, born 1768 - died 1836 (designer)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Credit Line:
Purchased with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and The Art Fund
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
- Image unavailable
This silver service was intended to glorify the Triple Alliance between Britain, Spain and Portugal and to celebrate their joint Victories against the French between 1808 and 1814. To the Portuguese, the Peninsular War was a war of Independence and this was their great gift to the man who had ensured its survival, the first Duke of Wellington.
The service was designed and executed under the control of Domingos Antonio de Sequeira (1768 - 1837), court painter to Dona Maria I. As far as is known, Sequeira had never designed anything in silver before receiving the commission for the service and designed only two pieces of silver subsequently. Sequeira remained loyal to his constitutional principles and after Dom Jaoa VI abandoned the Constitution in 1823 he left Portugal and eventually settled in Rome where he died. His work is at its most creative and original during the Peninsular War.
Although plans for the production of the service were well advanced by March 1811 the actual date when the decision was taken to present the service is unknown. The earliest evidence for Sequeira's involvement is a drawing dated 29th April 1812. By 1813 production was in full swing, partly in Sequeira's own house and partly in neighbouring workshops which had been specially rented. The bullion was supplied by the mint which obtained it by melting down coins. Progress on the project can be documented in detail through the State Archives and Sequeira's designs. The artist kept running into practical problems such as the call up for military service of his craftsmen. In September, 1816 the service was finally shipped to Britain. The total cost of the service was about £27,000. Interestingly, the Duke acquired additional items from Garrard so that the service met British dining practices.
Physical description
Silver gilt six light candelabra, decorated with three spears bound to the stem by a laurel wreath; the central stem resembles rods or fasces, also bound with an upper and lower band of laurel. The circular base is stands on stands on three lion's paw feet and is decorated with palm fronds. Each drip pan and socket is of similar foliate design, the six-armed branch resting in an identical socket attached to the top of the main stem.
Place of Origin
Lisbon, Portugal (made)
Date
1813-1816 (made)
Artist/maker
Sequeira, Domingos António de, born 1768 - died 1836 (designer)
Materials and Techniques
Silver gilt
Dimensions
Height: 58 cm Base to top of highest candleholder, Width: 36.5 cm Across the branches of the candelabrum
Object history note
This silver service was intended to glorify the Triple Alliance between Britain, Spain and Portugal and to celebrate their joint Victories against the French between 1808 and 1814. To the Portuguese, the Peninsular War was a war of Independence and this was their great gift to the man who had ensured its survival, the first Duke of Wellington.
The service was designed and executed under the control of Domingos Antonio de Sequeira (1768 - 1837), court painter to Dona Maria I. As far as is known, Sequeira had never designed anything in silver before receiving the commission for the service and designed only two pieces of silver subsequently. Sequeira remained loyal to his constitutional principles and after Dom Jaoa VI abandoned the Constitution in 1823 he left Portugal and eventually settled in Rome where he died. His work is at its most creative and original during the Peninsular War.
Although plans for the production of the service were well advanced by March 1811 the actual date when the decision was taken to present the service is unknown. The earliest evidence for Sequeira's involvement is a drawing dated 29th April 1812. By 1813 production was in full swing, partly in Sequeira's own house and partly in neighbouring workshops which had been specially rented. The bullion was supplied by the mint which obtained it by melting down coins. Progress on the project can be documented in detail by through the State Archives and Sequeira's designs. The artist kept running into practical problems such as the call up for military service of his craftsmen. In September, 1816 the service was finally shipped to Britain. The total cost of the service was about £27,000. Interestingly, the Duke acquired additional items from Garrard so that the service met British dining practices.
[From justification for acquisition by Timothy Stevens, 31/03/1995]
Descriptive line
Six light silver gilt candelabrum, 'Portuguese Service', designed by Domingos António de Sequeira, made in Lisbon, 1813-1816
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Delaforce, Angela and James Yorke. Portugal's silver service : a victory gift to the Duke of Wellington London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1992. 143 p., ill. ISBN 1851771034
Materials
Silver; Gold
Techniques
Mercury-gilding
Subjects depicted
Laurel (foliage); Palm leaf; Fasces
Categories
Metalwork; Lighting; Tableware & cutlery
Collection code
MET
