Baptism shell (detail)
PLACE/DATE
Portugal, final of the 18th century
MATERIALS
Silver
DIMENSIONS
Ø 36 cm; 1500 g
INV
OR.684
This lavender in the shape of a shell of a bivalve presents an extremely depurated and elegant design and execution, with a naturalistic inclination, with faces totally filled with radiant curved concavities and counter-curves.
As opposed to the smooth and polished surface that characterises the inner face, the outer one is textured by fine striations, arranged orthogonally, as if they were growth rings. Three delicate, conch-like feet support the shell.
Intended for the rite of water used in baptism, the first of the seven sacraments of Catholicism and an important rite of passage, this piece would have served at the baptisms of the King Pedro IV of Portugal (1798-1834) – on 19 October in the chapel of the royal palace of Queluz -, and of his brother Miguel (1802-1866). It comes from the royal chapel of the Bemposta palace in Lisbon, also known as the Queen’s Palace (Paço da Rainha).