Ceramic wood burning stove

The Real Fábrica de Louça do Rato was founded in 1767 under the industrial development policies introduced by the Marquis of Pombal. The factory's first director was Tomás Brunetto from Italy and it operated as a factory school, with 59 apprentices working there in 1772.

Despite its short history (it closed down in 1835) and its focus on crockery and later tiles, the factory had a few exceptional pieces in its catalogue. One of these were the carefully manufactured ceramic wood burning stoves intended for the Portuguese elite, influenced by palaces in central and northern Europe. In 1791, Queen Maria I purchased a stove for her royal chambers.