Uruguay’s legendary captain Obdulio Varela was presented with this Marajoaran-style vase and tray set by the Confederacao Brasileira de Desportos, the national sporting organization of Brazil, in honor of his successes with Uruguay at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. Held in Brazil, anticipation for the World Cup in the host nation was high, with their outfit assumed to be untouchable, playing the Beautiful Game when the opponents were simply kicking a ball around the pitch. In the final match of the tournament, with Brazil facing Uruguay for the title in the cavernous Maracana Stadium, it was Varela’s astute gamesmanship that silenced the nearly 200,000 Brazilian fans after their star striker Friaca opened the game’s scoring in the 47th minute. Varela collected the ball from the back of his net and debated with the English referee, in great length, that Friaça was in an offside position. The Brazilian had scored legally, but Varela’s digression sapped the life from the Brazilian crowd, who, silently, witnessed Uruguay’s Juan Alberto Schiaffino tie the game in the 66th minute. With just over 10 minutes left in the match, Uruguay’s diminutive winner Alcides Ghiggia scored the winning goal and millions of hearts around Brazil hardened. This is widely acknowledged as the greatest upset in soccer history, ending with Uruguay lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy for the second time.

This offered vase and tray set comes in three separate pieces: an ornately decorated vase, a tray decorated in the same distinct style, and a wooden pedestal for the vase to rest on. These items were produced by Casa Da Moeda in Rio de Janeiro, the national mint of Brazil, and are modeled after the artwork produced by the Marajoara culture of northern Brazil. The Marajoara flourished in the era prior to European colonization in Brazil and their surviving art and sculpture work is highly sought after by collector’s across the globe.

This vase measures 6.5 inches tall and features intricate and textured etchings across its entire body. The mouth at the top has a diameter of 4 inches. Two Casa Da Moeda wordmarks are imprinted on the bottom. The vase stands on a wooden pedestal measuring 8.5 inches in diameter. A plaque affixed to the pedestal features a seven-line inscription in Portuguese reading “Ao Snr. Obdulio Jacinto Varela Capitao / Homenagem Da / Confederacao Brasileira De Desportos / -1950- / Peca Em Estilo Marajoara, Originaria Da Ilha / Do Marajo Regiao Amazonica Modelo Especial / Casa Da Moeda Do Brasil”. The tray in this lot has a diameter of 14 inches and a set of wires on the back for mounting on a wall. This historic set is one of the most unique soccer artifacts available in the hobby today! This item comes with a LOA confirming it is part of the Rony Almeida Soccer Collection.

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