FR EN
1 / 2
an old manuscript with a black frame and a gold bordera painting of a bird on a wire hanging from a wooden frame
Premium Wannenes Art Auctions

144 - [PORTUGAL – FAMILY TREE OF THE HOUSE OF AVIZ] A large illumi…
See original version (Italian)

Estimate €600 - €1,000
Sale commission
Description
[PORTUGAL – FAMILY TREE OF THE HOUSE OF AVIZ] A large illuminated family tree on parchment depicting the Portuguese royal dynasty, showing the dynastic lineages from King John I of Aviz down to Carl A large handwritten and illuminated parchment depicting a detailed family tree of the House of Aviz, showing the succession of Portuguese monarchs and their descendants across nine generations, beginning with the founder of the house, King John I of Aviz (1357–1433). Each figure is accompanied by a colour-illuminated coat of arms with the corresponding crown to indicate their status, ranging from noble to emperor via kings and ecclesiastics; the principal marital alliances with European royal and imperial dynasties are also depicted. The genealogical line culminates with Charles II of Spain (1661–1700), whose coat of arms, surmounted by the royal crown, occupies the left-hand corner. To his right are depicted those who appear to be the principal claimants or successors to the lineage of the House of Aviz: Dom Manuel de Portugal and his brother Dom Fernando Alexandre de Portugal (1634–1687), Marquis of Trancoso and 1st Count of Sandim, as well as, in the right-hand corner, Manuel José Cortizos, a prominent financier at the court of Charles II, heir to the powerful banking house founded during the reign of Philip IV and a Knight of the Order of Calatrava. The inclusion of these figures, who were not part of the ruling dynastic line, suggests that the parchment was not merely a genealogical exercise, but was probably conceived as an instrument of noble legitimisation, intended to demonstrate the direct link between the Marquises of Trancoso and, in all likelihood, the Cortizos family, to the ancient dynasty of Portuguese sovereigns. This hypothesis appears consistent with the delicate political context following the Portuguese Restoration of 1640, when numerous members of the Portuguese high nobility who had remained loyal to the Spanish Habsburg monarchy saw their position in Portugal compromised. Particularly significant is the case of the title of Marquis of Trancoso, created in 1653 by Philip IV of Spain for Dom Luís Guilherme de Portugal and never recognised by the restored Braganza monarchy, a circumstance which makes it plausible that an elaborate genealogical document was drawn up to support claims to prestige, rank and dynastic continuity at the court in Madrid. From this perspective, the document takes on the characteristics of a genuine genealogy of legitimisation, intended not so much to reconstruct a historical succession as to support a dynastic continuity serving the political and social aspirations of its patrons. Genealogical document on parchment (88 × 63 cm) featuring numerous illuminated coats of arms in various colours surmounted by noble crowns. (Flaws and colour loss in the miniatures; usual signs of age and wear). Set in an antique frame. (1) [PORTUGAL; GENEALOGICAL TREE OF THE HOUSE OF AVIZ]. Large illuminated genealogical tree on vellum depicting the Portuguese royal House of Aviz, tracing the dynastic descent from King John I of Aviz to Charles II of Spain, the Marquesses of Trancoso, and the Cortizos banking family. Spain or Portugal, c. 1650–1685. A large illuminated manuscript on vellum depicting an elaborate genealogical tree of the House of Aviz, tracing the succession of Portuguese sovereigns and their descendants across nine generations, beginning with King John I of Portugal (1357–1433). Each individual is accompanied by a finely painted coat of arms surmounted by the appropriate coronet or crown, indicating rank—from nobleman to emperor, including kings and high-ranking ecclesiastics—and the principal matrimonial alliances with the leading royal and imperial dynasties of Europe are carefully recorded. The genealogical line culminates with Charles II of Spain (1661–1700), whose royal arms occupy the top left-hand corner of the composition. To his right appear what appear to be the principal claimants to, or continuators of, the Aviz lineage: Dom Manuel de Portugal and his brother Dom Fernando Alexandre de Portugal (1634–1687), Marquess of Trancoso and 1st Count of Sandim, together with, in the top right-hand corner, Manuel José Cortizos, an influential financier at the court of Charles II, heir to the powerful banking house established during the reign of Philip IV of Spain and Knight of the Order of Calatrava. The inclusion of these figures, who stood outside the reigning royal line, strongly suggests that the manuscript was conceived not merely as a genealogical record but as an instrument of noble legitimation, intended to demonstrate the direct descent of the Marquesses of Trancoso and, very likely, of the Cortizos family from the ancient Portuguese royal dynasty. This interpretation fits well with the delicate political climate following the Portuguese Restoration of 1640, when many members of the Lusitanian nobility who had remained loyal to the Spanish Habsburg monarchy found their position in Portugal seriously compromised. Of particular significance is the title of Marquess of Trancoso, created in 1653 by Philip IV of Spain for Dom Luís Guilherme de Portugal but never recognised by the restored Braganza monarchy; this makes the production of such an elaborate genealogical document entirely plausible as a means of asserting prestige, rank, and dynastic continuity at the court of Madrid. In this light, the manuscript should be regarded as a true genealogy of legitimation, intended less to document a historical succession than to support a dynastic continuity serving the political and social aspirations of its commissioners. Genealogical manuscript on vellum (88 × 63 cm). Numerous coats of arms illuminated in colour and surmounted by noble coronets and royal crowns (some pigment loss and minor defects in the miniatures; normal signs of age and handling). Preserved in an early frame. (1)
See original version (Italian)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale FROM THE CURTIS COLLECTIONS AT PALAZZO BARBARO: PAINTINGS, FURNITURE AND WORKS OF ART
Auction location
Auction time 09/29/2026 at 2:45 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like