Lot Essay
The arms are those of Dom Gaspar de Saldanha e Albuquerque, Rector of the University of Coimbra, Prelate of the Patriarchal Church of Lisbon, Judge, Deputy of the Board of Conscience and Orders, and President of the respective Tribunal. His father was Governor and Captain-General of Rio de Janeiro. See Nuno de Castro, op.cit., 1988, p.105, where a tureen, cover and stand, probably the same sold in these Rooms, 2 March 1976, lot 264, are illustrated. Another, from the McCann Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, is illustrated by M. Beurdeley, op.cit., 1962, cat.157, p.186, and by J. G. Phillips, op.cit., 1960, colour plate 6. For an oblong octagonal dish and an unusual enamelled copper tray and domed cover from this service, see J. G. Phillips, ibid., pls.37 and 39; the latter is also illustrated by M. Beurdeley, ibid., cat.79. A pair of plates from this service was sold in our New York Rooms, 24 January 1992, lot 26.