CIRCA 1765

The arms are those of Jos Seabra da Silva, born 1732. He was deputy prime-minister to the Marquess de Pombal, but due to a dispute over who was to succeed as heir to Dom Jos I, da Silva fell out of favour; he wanted the King's eldest child, Maria to succeed as Queen, whereas Pombal wanted the youngest child, a son, to succeed as King. Da Silva was exiled first to Angola and then to the Ilha das Cobras in Rio de Janeiro, from where he managed to escape due to his charm and intellect. When Dom Jos I died, Maria became Queen, and da Silva returned to Portugal to become Prime Minister. For a further discussion on the arms and the family, see Conde de Castro e Solla, Ceramica Brazonada, pp.36-40 and pl.XXI for a plate from this service. A salt from the Veiga Collection is illustrated by N. de Castro, Chinese Porcelain and the Heraldry of the Empire, 1988, p.121, where the author states that three services bearing these arms were made, of which this is the second. A large basin and pair of saucer-dishes from the Jorge Getulio Veiga Collection were sold Sotheby's London, 31 October, 1989, lots 146 and 147.