Portugal, mid-18th century Carved pau-santo, smooth and carved leather, metal nailwork Inv. 195 Magnificently carved, with curves and counter-curves in a harmonious rhythm, foliage, shell-shapes and mouldings characteristic of the Rococo style, the back of this chaise longue has a composition similar to that of beds from the same period, although the back reclines to a greater degree to make lying down more comfortable. The sinuous lines extend to the decoration of the carved leather cushion, which shows a partially meaningless religious caption in vernacular language, common in 17th century beds, but not so much in those from the 18th century. The excellence of this piece of furniture was recognised long ago, having been selected to form part of the Exhibition of Spanish and Portuguese Ornamental Art, held in Lisbon in 1882, with the honour of featuring in the catalogue as a print from a drawing by Enrique Casanova. Belonging to a private collector from Lamego at the time, it had the additional opulence of a canopy frame, of which only the knobs that finished the headboard and feet remain today.