World Legend

Biography

WORLD LEGEND is a singular business project aiming to establish an innovative center of promotion and commerce of goods and services in the vast domain of the national and international cultural setting.

The dimension of the world of art allows for a multiplicity of approaches which WORLD LEGEND intends to explore in a new and sustained way. Assuming as its main axis the promotion of auctions of every kind of objects and works of art, WORLD LEGEND operates a wide range of activity that goes from private sales to exhibitions, workshops, specialized consulting, and what other activities the sector is willing to stimulate.

Directed at all art enthusiasts, it features an exhibition program that is independent of the auction program.

The idea of building a company with these characteristics and goals comes from a deep knowledge of the sector and of the new logics of the market, ever more complex and globalized. This focus unites Rui Canteiro, the researcher Emília Ferreira and Clara Ferreira Marques, to whom the sector recognizes a vast experience as an international art broker as well as her performance at the helm of Leiria & Nascimento, Portugal´s oldest auction house.

Leiria & Nascimento conquered a position of reference in the auction market, by its history which spreads as far back as 1882, with the creation of "Bazar Católico", and then "Casa Liquidadora", finally coming to be known as Leiria & Nascimento. The new cycle that begins today is the time of WORLD LEGEND.

Inventories composed by the best collections, findings and individual works of important value integrate the catalogs of the auctions, with particular emphasis to the pieces of Palácio Monserrate and house Burnay, the collection of Sotto-Mayor from Calçada da Estrela, the auctions of Palácio Vila Viçosa, House of Barros, Quinta do Bom Nome, and Dom Caetano of Portugal. The collection of Commander Ernesto Vilhena, which auction happened between 1969 and 1973/4 still deserves mentions from the figures of the Portuguese auction world.

By the time of April´s 25th 1974 Revolution, the company reduced gradually its activity until it almost went out of action in 1986.

A new cycle emerged by the hands of Clara Ferreira Marques, specialized in china by the Companhia das Índias and contemporary and modern painting. With a team that comprised tradition and innovation, she renovated and revolutionized the Portuguese market´s panorama.

We would emphasize the auction of Quinta da Fonte Santa, considered the auction of the XXth century, and delivered by the Bank of Portugal and Finingeste, after a disputed contest; the inheritance of Commr.Ernesto Vilhena, which by its size fueled several auctions through the years; and also the absolute record of the sale in auction of the painting by Tiepolo in 2007, acquired by the M.N.A.A.

Leiria & Nascimento innovated by doing specialized auctions, like auctions of wine collections, antique´ cars, swatches and even the first auction of musical instruments in Portugal, which was mentioned in CNN for its Braille catalogue.
With a client list made up essentially by collectors and both private and public investors, L&N cooperated from time to time with several museums and even the Portuguese National Library.