António José de Abreu
(1807-1875)
Born in Ilhéus, parish of São Pedro, on the 15th of November 1807, son of José de Abreu and Joana Rosa, natives of the São Martinho parish.
He was considered the oldest carpenter and inlay master who are currently biographed in the Madeiran scene.
With the purpose of turning Funchal more appealing to its visitors and responding to the requests of “noble gentlemen, of wise travellers that every year visit this island”, in 1850, the counsellor José Silvestre Ribeiro, Civil Governor of the Funchal District at the time, promoted the first Exhibition of Madeiran Industry, that took place from the 1st to the 4th of April at the São Lourenço Palace, and also the first Feira da Praça Académica (the first fair of the Academic square), which took place on June 29th and 30th of that same year. In the first event, 17 silver medals were awarded to the best craftsmanship.
In the Carpentry works category, António José de Abreu, received a medal for the marquetry of a campaign table. He also participated in Industrial Exhibitions in 1857 and 1861, in Porto, where he won prizes for his marquetry work. He had his workshop at São João street, Sé parish.
On the 4th of September 1862, António de Abreu, met with 26 other artisans and other enthusiasts, with the purpose of founding an assistance association. In that meeting, a provisional board was appointed by acclamation, composed of António José de Abreu as president, Henrique José Maria Camacho, João Augusto de Ornelas, and Fernando José Rodrigues as members.
In the first general assembly, that took place just after four days, the association, changed its name to Associação de Beneficiência do Funchal. António José de Abreu, was elected president of the General Assembly Board.
He passed away at the age of 68, single, on December 29th, 1875, at his residence on Princesa Dona Maria Amélia Street.
