Cassia Museu Quinta das Cruzes (Quinta das Cruzes Museum), Funchal

Since 1953, the Quinta das Cruzes Museum has been open to the public and boasts a vast collection of artwork. However, what sets it apart is its significant historical connection to Funchal, as it served as the second residence for the family of João Gonçalves Zarco, the discoverer of Madeira.

The museum showcases a diverse range of objects, including furniture of Portuguese and foreign origin (predominantly English), jewelry, ceramics, and sculpture.

Of particular note is the English-influenced ”Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton” furniture collection (”The Big Three” of furniture design during England’s Georgian period) and a set of 17th-century Portuguese furniture crafted from exotic woods imported mainly from Brazil. The porcelain collection is divided into European porcelain, featuring pieces by Meissen, Bristol, or Vista Alegre, among others, and oriental porcelain, with Chinese pieces from the Qing dynasty standing out.

In addition to the artwork, visitors to the Quinta das Cruzes Museum can admire a series of Luso-Oriental works of art from the 16th, 17th, or 18th centuries, and a set of sculptures, with a particular focus on terracotta nativity scene figures mainly produced in the 18th century.