DATED 1776 AND OF THE PERIOD

This service has traditionally been thought to have been made for the illegitimate offspring of King João V of Portugal. However, N. de Castro, op.cit., 1988, pp.149 and 150, attributes the arms to the Royal College of Nobles of Lisbon, sometimes known as the Royal College of Our Lady of the Conception, which opened in 1766. This view is supported by M. A. Pinto de Matos, in the Catalogue, for the 1998 exhibition at the Fundaão Oriente, Lisbon, Caminhos da Porcelana (The Porcelain Route), p.240, no.62, where a tureen, cover and stand from this service is illustrated. Mr. de Castro suggests that the two young military college students were used in the decoration to commemorate the College's 10th anniversary in 1776; and that the initials PFV could stand for Padroeira Fidelissima Virgem (Most Faithful Virgin Patroness) in tribute to Our Lady of the Conception. An alternative reading of the initials is JFV, possibly for José Faro e Veiga (1740-1812), who was the second son of a Director and Inspector of the College.

In addition to the above-mentioned tureen, which is probably also the one illustrated by N. de Castro, ibid., p.149, and by M. Beurdeley, op.cit., p.77, fig.56, see also F. et N. Hervouët et Y. Bruneau, op.cit., p.327, no.14.6 for a plate; J.R.T. Leite, op.cit., p.115, colour pl.46 for an oval dish; and Lloyd Hyde, Silva and Malta, op.cit., p.69, pl.XVII.

Several pieces from this service have been sold at auction: in these Rooms, 1 & 2 March, 1976, lot 225, 18 October 1976, lot 154, and 13 May 1996, lot 190; and in our Monaco Rooms, 20 June 1988, lot 80.