Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo
At Lucena
About
Founded in 1937, the National Museum for Decorative Art is the former palatial mansion of the wealthy Argentine Errázuriz Alvear family. The interiors of this lavish building retain the French-inspired architectural floor plan and embellishments. The expansive underground coach house and storage area, antechambers, bedrooms and servant's quarters comprise the exhibit spaces for over 4000 pieces of European and Oriental objets d'art. The reception and main halls on the ground floor are adorned with renaissance-style windowpanes, sculpted corbels and a fireplace which dominates the space for its sheer size. The decorative objects on exhibit include exquisite furnishings, tapestries, silverware, porcelain, ivory, paintings, sculptures and European miniatures from the XVI to XX centuries. There is a gift boutique and the elegant Errázuriz restaurant/bar is an ideal way to enjoy a drink, snack or high tea. Admission is free on Tuesdays.
