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| | | KING JOÃO V COACH
| | | | | | |  | | 18th Century (1st half)
Ceremonial vehicle.
Portuguese work.
Inv. nº 12
Dim: 641x215x342 cm
King João V had it built for the Portuguese Royal House. During the 19th century this coach was used for the visits of foreign Chiefs of State to Portugal.
The closed body has flowing, undulating lines, a sign of the Rocaille style.
The gilt carved woodwork has been attributed to the sculptor José de Almeida (1700-1769), in collaboration with his brother Félix Vicente de Almeida, wood carver for the Royal House.
The paintings on the panels of the body are attributed to José da Costa Negreiros, student of André Gonçalves or the French painter Pierre Antoine Quillard.
The side panels and doors have wood in a form known as bombé (blown out).
There are heads of young women known as Espagnolettes distributed in numerous places in the woodwork and engraved bronze of the coach structure.
The suspension springs are decorated also with those female figures and the rear wheels display the 12 signs of the Zodiac. | | |  | |
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