Chinese Porcelains of the Santos Palace

This unique collection of Chinese porcelain plates of the Porcelain Room in Santos Palace illustrates the history of ceramic production in China between the early 16th century and the late 18th century, and its trade with Europe.

A royal residence from the end of the 15th century, Santos Palace was acquired in 1629 by the Lencastre family and underwent major structural works between 1664 and 1687. During that period, the curious Porcelain Room was built with a gilded pyramidal ceiling inlaid with more than 250 Chinese porcelain plates, almost all of them decorated in blue and white. In 1870, the French State rented the building, eventually acquiring it in 1909.