The antique collection of Teixeira de Aragão (1823-1903) - Lisbon and Paris

Abstract

A study of antique collecting by private individuals in Portugal from 1850 to 1930 howed that many of the archaeological objects presently held by Portuguese museums found their way there due to the actions and knowledge of local collectors, who as actors in contemporary historiographical accounts of museums, their history and their collections were for the most part invisible. However, these individuals played a crucial role in identifying and recovering objects that are now part of museum collections, formed thanks to their efforts: collaborating with museums, making donations to them, and buying and selling objects.