Flatware Cases in the Second Half of the 20th Century: The Work of Maria Da Conceição Cardos o De Menzenes (1903-1989)

Abstract

Maria da Conceição Cardoso de Menezes (Guimarães, 1903 – Porto, 1989) revisited the old Portuguese tradition of making cases for flatware, producing especially designed cases for tea and coffee spoons. Endowed with great manual skill, she replicated models of the 19th century. The novelty consisted on luxurious coffee spoons cases’ of small dimensions. With wooden structure, these presented a leather lining on the outside enriched with metal fittings, while crimson velvet and gallons lined the inside. Some oral memoirs will also be hereby presented giving the context of her production.