Museum of Decorative Arts

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Viana do Castelo > Viana do Castelo > Viana do Castelo > Santa Maria Maior e Monserrate

Location

The Museum of Decorative Arts is located in Viana do Castelo, situated in Largo de São Domingos. This square is a landmark in the city center, and the museum is housed in an old and distinguished urban manor that asserts its presence in the space.

A Notable Building

The house that hosts the museum is a beautiful example of 18th-century architecture. It was commissioned in 1724 by António Felgueiras Lima and is known for its history and imposing presence. The building exhibits characteristics of the Baroque period, with notable classical elements, such as the triangular pediments that top the windows. On its facade, one can observe the coat of arms of the Teixeira Barbosa Maciel family, who later acquired the property.

In 1993, the museum was expanded with the addition of a new wing, designed by architect Luís Teles. This expansion allowed for improved conditions for exhibitions, conservation, and study of the collection.

The Decorative Arts Collections

The museum presents a rich and diverse collection focused on decorative arts. It includes collections of furniture, ceramics, painting, and drawing that bear witness to the history and culture of the region and the country. A large part of the exhibited pieces come from donations, with special emphasis on the contribution of the scholar Luís Augusto Oliveira.

Among the furniture, pieces of Indo-Portuguese furniture and examples dating back to the reigns of D. João V and D. José I stand out.

The Tiles and the Chapel

One of the great highlights of the palace's interior is the presence of notable tile panels. In the ceremonial rooms, one can admire blue wainscot tiles and historied panels from the Baroque period. These depict hunting scenes, leisure moments in gardens, and other refined settings, offering a visual portrait of the society of the time.

A particularly famous panel represents the four continents, symbolizing Viana's connection to trade and the world. The original building also incorporates a small chapel. This chapel is valued for a magnificent altar with a Baroque gilded carved altarpiece and for its walls decorated with tiles, some of which are attributed to master Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes.

The Faience Collection

One of the most significant collections in the museum is dedicated to Portuguese faience. Considered one of the most complete and rich in the country, it gathers approximately sixteen hundred pieces that document ceramic production between the 17th and 19th centuries.

A central point of this collection is Viana ware, produced locally between 1774 and 1855. This faience is recognizable by its characteristic blue tone, constituting an important testimony to the city's industrial and artistic history.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt