Germain Service facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Germain Service
The surtout de table of the Germain Service
Material	Silver
Created	1750s-60s
Present location	National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon

The Germain Service is a huge collection of over a thousand beautiful silver pieces. It was made in the 1700s for the royal family of Portugal. These pieces were crafted by a famous French silversmith named François-Thomas Germain. Today, you can see this amazing service on display at the National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon, Portugal.

Why the Germain Service Was Made

The Germain Service was ordered by Joseph I of Portugal, who was the King of Portugal at the time. He placed the order in 1756. This was right after a terrible event called the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. The earthquake had destroyed many important things in the royal palace. The King wanted to make the royal court look grand and splendid again. He wanted to show the world that Portugal was strong and rich, even after the disaster.

Problems with the Order

Making such a large and detailed silver service took a long time. In 1765, the silversmith, François-Thomas Germain, faced financial problems. He went bankrupt, which means he ran out of money. Because of this, the Germain Service was not fully finished. The Portuguese royal family even tried to get their money back, but they were not successful.

One important part that was never finished was the surtout de table. This was a large, decorative centerpiece for the dining table. Even without this piece, the Germain Service was still considered the most important silver set for the Portuguese Crown. It was called the "First Service." Another silver set, taken from the Duke of Aveiro in 1759, was added to it. This second set was called the "Second Service." Together, these two services had all the tableware needed for grand royal feasts.

A Royal Celebration

The Germain Service was used in public for the very first time on May 13, 1777. This was during the special ceremony for Maria I of Portugal. She was King Joseph I's daughter and became Queen of Portugal. This ceremony was called her "Acclamation," which is like a coronation. It was a very important day for the royal family and the country.

A National Treasure

In 2006, the Germain Service received a very special honor. The Ministry of Culture in Portugal officially listed it as one of Portugal's National Treasures. This means it is considered a very important part of the country's history and culture.

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