Pew with backrest
Author: Unknown
Date: 18th century
Material: Chestnut and velvet
Dimensions (cm): H 76 x W 49 x L 225,5
Provenance: Guimarães, Colegiada de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira
Inventory No.: MAS M 27, MAS M 28, MAS M 29, MAS M 30, MAS M 31, MAS M 32, MAS M 33 and MAS M 34
Set of eight pews with padded red velvet on the seat and on the back and decorated with bronze nails.
In 1782, the chapter of the Colegiada de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira ordered new pews in Braga. The cabinet-maker, Luís Custódio (described as emxambrador in the contract) received the commission to substitute the previous pews in muscovy leather with a group of eight new ones with backrests (MAS M 27 to MAS M 34). These pieces of furniture constitute one of the few fully documented case studies: from the chapter’s resolution determining their execution on 7 February 1782, the work contract dated 17 February of the same year (with a description of the pieces of furniture to be made), to the transport from Braga to Guimarães, including a number of receipts listing the wrought and gilt nails that can still be seen today, the painting and gilding of the frames, expenses with padding and respective velvet covering by a silk spinner from Braga, among others.
Made when the neoclassical style was slowly gaining ground in Portugal, these pieces reveal the permanence of previous models, namely the curved legs with somewhat voluminous knees used since the first half of the 18th century.