As singularidades da Sala Chineza no Palácio da Ajuda: contextualização histórica e contributos para a sua museografia

Abstract

This article contextualizes and identifies the influences that led to the design of the Sala Chineza (Chinese Room) (c. 1865) at Ajuda Palace in Lisbon. The study is based on archival sources and bibliography, complemented with a comparative analysis of contemporary examples. The article concludes that the Sala Chineza creation comes from the palatial tradition of this type of themed rooms for the exhibition of valuable oriental pieces. Its total fabric covering simulates a tent, but the way in which it was applied coincided with the custom to fully cover the interior spaces. The arrangement of furniture and decorative pieces was a way of perpetuating the diplomatic offers sent in 1862 and 1864 by the then Shogun from Japan to the King of Portugal, characteristics that contribute to the uniqueness and originality of the Sala Chineza. According to the research findings, it seems to be the only example in which this happened and coincides chronologically with the opening of Japan to the Western world in the mid-19th century, which gave rise to a series of agreements and diplomatic visits to various western countries. The historical contextualization carried out contributes to build knowledge around this Chinese Room, thus contributing to base future museography interventions.

Keywords

• chinese room
• chinoiserie
• Ajuda National Palace
• Ajuda Palace
• museography