拍品专文
Cut-paper work of this type is of the greatest rarity. The Doheny collection included two 17th-century examples (Christie's 2.12.87, lots 179 and 180)
The album has a manuscript note in Portuguese, dated 1812, on the verso of the front free endpaper to the effect that the cut-work was carried out by the writer's great-great-great-grandfather: Alvaro Lourenço, at the time of King Don Sebastian (1554-1578). This date is borne out by two watermarks: a crowned double-B [type of Briquet 9277], 1568 and a pilgrim [type of Bricquet 7582] 1570.
The presence of the prayer to Saint Apollonia is perhaps significant: sufferers from toothache would pray to her for relief from their agony, and she is the patron saint of dentists.
The album has a manuscript note in Portuguese, dated 1812, on the verso of the front free endpaper to the effect that the cut-work was carried out by the writer's great-great-great-grandfather: Alvaro Lourenço, at the time of King Don Sebastian (1554-1578). This date is borne out by two watermarks: a crowned double-B [type of Briquet 9277], 1568 and a pilgrim [type of Bricquet 7582] 1570.
The presence of the prayer to Saint Apollonia is perhaps significant: sufferers from toothache would pray to her for relief from their agony, and she is the patron saint of dentists.