14/02/2024
THE PORTABLE ALTAR OF VASCO DA GAMA
MUSEUM DE MARINHA, BELEM, LISBON, PORTUGAL
Portable altar in red painted oak wood. The inside of the lid has a religious painting of Christ on the cross and three liturgical texts for the celebration of Mass services. According to tradition, this altar went with Vasco da Gama on board the ship San Gabriel on the maiden voyage to India in 1497. Although its wood dates from that period, there is no documentary evidence to support this. However it is very similar to the portable altars used in religious services onboard Portuguese Indiamen.
Donated by Captain Guilherme Alpoim Calvão.
According to tradition, this altar went with Vasco da Gama on board the ship San Gabriel on the maiden voyage to India in 1497. The inside of the lid has a religious painting of Christ on the cross and three liturgical texts for the celebration of Mass services.
