Cruet set
AUTHOR
Leitão & Irmão (since 1866)
PLACE/DATE
Lisbon, early 20th century
MATERIALS
Repoussé, chased and gilt silver
DIMENSIONS
Bandeja: 16 x 13,3 cm; galheta: 22,2 x Ø 6,4 cm (base), Ø 4,5 cm (bocal); 2232 g
INV
OR.860
This piece, made for the chapel of the old Sanatorium of St. Anne (Sanatório de Sant’Ana), in Parede (on the outskirts of Lisbon), is a fine example of Neo-Byzantine and Neo-Gothic revivalist goldsmithery.
Two casters, in the shape of bulging jugs and wings corresponding to fantastic animals, with bird-shaped bodies, sit on a tray of mixstilinear profile and guard in a colonnade of perfect-turned arches, supported on four cubic feet.
Their repoussé and chased decoration stands out, dominated by plant elements in low relief, such as scrolls of foliage. The presence of elements alluding to the functions of each caster complete the respective ornamental programme: in the one for wine, the denominating element consists of a set of vine leaves and bunches of grapes in relief, while in the other, intended for water, two fish, a scallop and a Chi Rho Christogram floating in the waters, are represented by fine incised waves.