The Decorative Arts Museum houses the The Ricardo Espirito Santo Foundation collection and is situated in a 17th century Azurara Palace. This brilliant museum not only house a great museum of period pieces, but gives a picture of aristocratic life in the 18th and 19th centuries. There is also a school associated with the museum that teaches and fosters artisinal skills necessary to create, restore, and reproduce dying ancient art and techniques.
The building was bought by Ricardo Espirito Santo,specifically to store his priceless collection of silver and Chinese porcelain, and several Flemish tapestries from the 16th and 18th centuries.
My favorite room was perhaps the room of chairs, displayed as they evolved through time. I also enjoyed visiting he workshops where the artisans were busy wood carving, inlaying, metal-working, and bookbinding.
This is well worth a visit. read more