Incense Boat
Portuguese Goldsmithery
End of the 16th century, early 17th century
Silver in relief and engraved
Alt.15.5 cm x width 23 cm
From the Church of Bom Jesus da Ribeira, Funchal
MASF335


A piece that is similar to the previous ones, whose organisation starts from a circular base with engraved motifs of a vegetal nature. The base is linked to the boat by a conical-trunk section subdivided by rings. The entire hull is decorated with vegetal motif and scrolls suggesting waves of the sea. The keel and rudder are very prominent, and the decoration of the sides of the forecastle and quarterdeck is in ovoid forms. This piece is part of a set of Portuguese Mannerist Goldsmithery that recently entered the collections of the Funchal Museum of Sacred Art, from the Church of the Convent of Bom Jesus da Ribeira, in Funchal. Outstanding in this set, for example, is a Processional Cross from the same era, and probably from the same workshop.