Ephemera, Festivals and Theatrical Representation
“All the world is a stage”
Among all the arts, it is perhaps in sartorial fashions where the most progressive changes are seen in response to the world’s changing social, economic and political climate.
Special vehicles were designed and built for mock battles (used only once, solely for that event) and for ceremonial processions (ambassadorial or royal entries; some of which, albeit rarely, were used on more than one occasion) to impress spectators. Among all the arts, it is perhaps in sartorial fashions where the most progressive changes are seen in response to the world’s changing social, economic and political climate. Princely or royal entertainment, spectacles, court ceremonies and theatre also influenced fashions, as well as the invention of hairstyles, headdresses, neckwear, footwear and jewellery. Dazzling masquerades offered nobles the opportunity to disguise their social status and personality and take on another persona. Festive costumes often resembled those seen on the theatrical stage.
Coach belonging to King João V

First half of the 18th century
National Coach Museum
Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
José de Almeida (1700, Portugal–1769, Portugal); Felix Vicente de Almeida (n.d.–1785, Portugal); Filipe Juvara (1685, Messina, Italy–1735, Madrid, Spain); José da Costa Negreiros (1714, Portugal – 1759, Portugal); Pierre-Antoine Quillard (1701, Paris, France–1733, Lisbon, Portugal)
Wood, leather, bronze, glass, silk and velvet; wood: carved, painted and gilded; bronze: melted, soldered, gilded
Ceremonial coaches, such as this magnificent, richly carved and gilded royal coach, were used in the arrival to and departure from festive events and in ceremonial processions.