PORTUGAL - Palata umetnosti Madlena

17 century

In the baroque period, Portugal is characterized by pronouncedly flamboyant ornaments in woodwork made of polychromous and gilt wood. Portuguese furniture differed from other European styles, especially since the 17^th century. Sailors from the Iberian Peninsula were the forerunners of overseas voyages. Considering that they had established their colonies on four different continents, they were also under the impact of other cultures they had encountered. Portuguese or Iberian furniture from the pre-modern period is exceptionally unique and desirable as a luxurious item throughout the world. The best Portuguese craftsmen – engravers and jewelers – were engaged to decorate interiors of Catholic cathedrals. The interior of sacral edifices, including roofs, pillars, and window frames, were decorated with elaborate engravings and lined with gold.

19 century

Indo-Portuguese furniture comprises furniture manufactured in India at the time when Portugal had significant colonial presence in the country, from 16 to 19 centuries. The style is characterized by a mixture of Indian and Portuguese design elements, reflecting the cultural exchange that took place at that time. Indo-Portuguese furniture was frequently made of hardwood such as teakwood, rosewood, and ebony, and was generally exceptionally ornately engraved and decorated. Furniture frequently comprised motives such as herbal-floral or sacral iconography. The style is particularly famous for the mixture of Indian and European elements; thus, for instance, a piece of Indo-Portuguese furniture may have recognizably Indian form and, at the same time, may be decorated with elaborate engravings after the style of Portuguese esthetics. Numerous artifacts made in the Portuguese style are characterized by the use of processed leather attached using metal pins. Leather was embossed so as to depict shell-like motifs and different ornamental floral and animal forms.