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Auction: 317 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 972

Portugal. José I (1750-1777). Restoration of Lisbon after the 1755 Great Earthquake, 1775. Bronze, 46.3mm. (By Gaspar). Equestrian statue of José I; Latin legend around "The Great Restorer", date in Roman numerals below, rev. Crowned Lusitania standing before portico urging Trade, Navigation, Architecture and others to arise after the destruction caused by the Great Earthquake of Lisbon. Striking on All-Souls Day, November 1, 1755 a massive earthquake, followed by a devastating tsumani and fires, almost completely destroyed Portugal's capital. Modern seismologists, whose very profession began as an outcome of this catastrophic event, estimate that the earthquake had a magnitude of 8.5 to 9. Shocks were felt as far as Finland, and according to some reports as far as Greenland and the Caribbean. But not only Lisbon was affected, the earthquake and tsunami wrought widespread destruction throughout the south of Portugal. King José, who would spend the rest of his life fearing to live within confined spaces, launched immediate efforts to rebuild Lisbon and Portugal. In less than a year, the debris was cleared from the city and restoration began. Dark coffee-brown, Extremely Fine.

Sold for
$100