Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Quimera
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Quimera (2019) is a decorative faience plate in an edition of 15, numbered in Roman numerals (XV), signed by the artist and numbered on the base. Round at 61.2 cm diameter and 8.5 cm deep, it renders Vhils's imagery in glazed ceramic, a departure from his paper and wall work into fired, functional-form material.
Collector notes: First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 15. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
Quimera moves Vhils's portraiture onto faience, a tin-glazed ceramic with deep decorative-arts tradition, especially in Portugal, his home country, where azulejo tilework and pottery are central to visual culture. At just 15 examples, it is a rare crossover between contemporary street-rooted imagery and heritage ceramic craft.
Collector Perspective
With only 15 pieces, Quimera is one of the scarcest Vhils editions in this group. Ceramic is fragile, so condition, absence of cracks, chips or glaze crazing, is paramount, as is careful display. The Roman-numeral numbering and base signature are the authentication markers. Its rarity and material distinctiveness make it a standout for a serious collection.
Historical Context
Vhils's Portuguese roots connect naturally to the country's storied ceramic and azulejo traditions. Produced in 2019 as a special run of 15 within the broader edition, Quimera situates his contemporary carving imagery within a heritage medium, bridging Lisbon's street-art present and its decorative-arts past.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned print or object
- Release date
- 2019
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Ceramic | Hand Finished; catalog dimensions 61.2 x 61.2 x 8.5 cm.
- Edition details
- First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 15.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats Vhils's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: Read as documented context rather than stated intent: Vhils's Portuguese roots connect naturally to the country's storied ceramic and azulejo traditions. This is an interpretive reading of the release context, not a statement of the artist's intent for this specific work. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2019 and attributes the edition to Underdogs. The saved description also notes: This is a special run of 15 (numbered in Roman numerals) from the edition released by Bordallo Pinheiro.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Underdogs. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- Vhils — official site — Vhils studio · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official artist site; career context, not an individual-edition record.
- Vhils — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Vhils (Q115823) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
What is the plate made of?
Faience, a tin-glazed decorative ceramic, at 61.2 cm diameter and 8.5 cm deep.
How large is the edition?
An edition of 15, numbered in Roman numerals as XV.
How is it signed?
Signed by the artist and numbered on the base.
Why does condition matter so much?
As a fired ceramic, it is fragile; cracks, chips or glaze crazing significantly affect a piece.
