Maria João Burnay 

Glasses at the table of the 19^th century Portuguese court: ceremonial and usage

When D. Luis I (1838-1889), was proclaimed king, in 1861, a new chapter started in Palácio da Ajuda, which finally became a royal residence and the center of the Portuguese court.

Shortly after the unification of Italy in 1861, Princess Maria Pia of Savoy (1847-1911), daughter of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy (1820-1878) and Adelaide of Austria (1822-1855) married King Louis I and moved to her new residence in 1862. She was 15 years old.

During her stay in Portugal, from 1862 to 1910, the Queen made several trips through Europe (until 1888 was accompanied by King D. Luis). They visited Madrid, Paris, Nice, Vienna, London, Carslbad, Turin, Rome, Venice, Murano, among many other cities. On these occasions, she has purchased on department stores such as A. La Paix, Grand Dépot or Bon Marché, and manufacturers like Baccarat, Moser, J & L Lobmeyr, Compagnia di Venezia Murano, Salviati & co., among others. She took contact with the very best of the European glass production.

D. Maria Pia had a cult for decoration and a particular taste for the applied arts, which included the objects and also the ornamentation of the table. Silverware and porcelain, towels, lamps and its accessories, glassware services and so many other items that she has gathered throughout his life, not only for everyday meals but also for more formal occasions and others, as in their leisure time such as picnics, are still present in the collections of Portuguese national palaces, in particular in Palácio da Ajuda.

For this reason and still in our days it is possible to reconstitute a table of the Portuguese court of the second half of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century, with all its objects and in its full splendor. Representing the habits, sociability and etiquette of the court, the crystal services acquired a place and an important statute on the table of the Royal House.

With the development of the glass industry in the second half of the nineteenth century, tableware became even more complete and acquired a relevant status throughout a complex ceremonial practiced in more intimate dining, and at court banquets.

It is intended to reveal a few of this collection, as well as its history and usage.

Short Bio

Maria João Botelho Moniz Burnay has a Degree in Historical Sciences, Lusíada University of Lisbon and a Master Degree of Arts, Heritage and Restoration Theory, School of Arts and Humanities of the University of Lisbon (FLUL). 

Since 2011 she is the Curator of Glass, Lightning and House Hold Objects of  Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, has published several articles and participated in conferences in Portugal and abroad. With Rosa Barovier Mentasti, was curator of the exhibition "Ricordo di Venezia. Murano Glass of the Portuguese Royal House", in the same Palace in 2015. 

She is also a member of ICOM Glass, and of the “Light and Glass Society. European Society and Documentation Centre for Chandeliers, Light and Lighting”.