Fragment of a fountain, Ca. 1743 Sculpted in marble Decorated... Lot 389

Fragment of a fountain, Ca. 1743 Sculpted in marble Decorated with central cartouche framed by laurel wreaths under acanthus leaf, with a palm leaf and an olive tree branch on the sides Top corners with with two cherubs Bronze tap with Molded decoration, depicting dolphins Provenance: Palace of the Viscondes de Vila Nova de Cerveira, Mafra The fountain fragment now offered for sale at Veritas is, after familiar tradition, originally from the palace of the Viscondes de Vila Nova de Cerveira, also known as palace of the Marqueses de Ponte de Lima. This piece was once part of a large renovation program of the old 17th century palace that the family owned at Mafra. The works were executed between the mid and late 18th century and mainly focused at the gardens and hydraulic work, after conclusion the palace was known for the magnificence of its gardens. The petulant William Beckford tells us that the “quinta” was “magnificent in the Italian style” with “superb ornate statues, and crystal clear fountains (...) squares, lakes, tanks, and chapels”. This intervention was executed in a special time once it was in that palace that the king D. João V stayed during his visits to the works of the palace/ convent of Mafra. The refurbishment of the Vila Nova de Cerveira/ Ponte de Lima palace was concluded around 1783 when Joaquim Machado de Castro executed a statue of the Queen D. Maria I, later offered by the Marquis to the Real Biblioteca Pública da Corte for which he was appointed general-inspector. It is important for the piece now offered for sale to know that in 1744, time when an inspection report was made after a visit in November 22 of that year, with the aim of evaluating the improvements carried out by D. Tomás de Lima e Vasconcelos, 12th Visconde de Vila Nova de Cerveira, extensive works were already done. For the task were appointed the masters António de Miranda e António Baptista Garvo “as mason and carpente