Naval Brigade Salver, LEITÃO & IRMÃO

Estimate €1.300–2.500

Description

Silver (916/000), rim decorated with two twisted-cord friezes, two Crosses of Avis, an excerpt from Os Lusíadas and the inscription "Homenagem da Brigada Naval" engraved.

Reverse with dedication "Ao Comandante / Manuel Ortins de Bettencourt / Ilustre Ministro da Marinha / o / maior reconhecimento / da Brigada Naval / 12 Junho 1939".

Lisbon hallmark in use from 1938 to 1984, maker's mark and signed Leitão & Irmão.

(signs of use)

Diam.: 40.5 cm

1,548 g

Notes

Manuel Ortins de Bettencourt (1892–1969) was an officer of the Portuguese Navy, having held the highest positions, among them that of Minister of the Navy between 1936 and 1944, that is to say during a great part of the Second World War.

Bettencourt attained the rank of Rear Admiral and, in his long and illustrious career, particular note is due to his feat of having piloted the first non-stop flight to the Azores – where he was born.

He was honoured with the highest Portuguese orders, among them the Tower and Sword, Christ and Aviz; but also foreign ones, having received the French Légion d'Honneur, the Order of the Crown of Italy, the Order of Leopold II of Belgium, the Order of Isabella the Catholic of Spain, and also the Legion of Merit of the United States of America.