Salver
Author: Unknown
Date: 17th century, end
Material: White silver
Dimensions (cm): D 48,7
Provenance: Guimarães, Colegiada de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira
Inventory No.: MAS O 49
This salver of concave segments, with a multi-lobed border, has a raised circular well. The first strip is composed of segments, with raised and sculpted flowers: tulips, chrysanthemums or other. The inner circle has interlaced foliage that surrounds the centre of the plate, composed of a laurel wreath, having at the centre a bird that smooths its feathers with its beak. In the reverse, in the centre of the salver, the signature “Pedro Gaspar” (?) is engraved.
The salvers of concave segments, mainly those which present motifs based on foliage, are national productions very much appreciated at the end of the 17th century.
In the second half of the 17th century, an exuberant decoration of the Baroque style developed, in opposition to the chã tendency but in parallel with it, with relief forms of great aesthetic effect, obtained by a combination of the techniques of repoussé and sculpting.