The Portuguese Crown Jewels were the pieces of jewelry, regalia, and vestments worn by the Monarchs of Portugal during the time of the Portuguese Monarchy. Over the nine centuries of Portuguese history, the Portuguese Crown Jewels have gained pieced and lost them. Most of the current set of the Portuguese Crown Jewels are from the reigns of João VI and Luís I.
History
By the reign of King Manuel I of Portugal (1495 - 1521), Portugal had already a lavish set of jewels, the king having been one of the most powerful men in the world at the time and having been known to show off.
In early 1581, António I fled to France after Philip I was made the King of Portugal. He took with him the Portuguese Crown Jewels, including many valuable diamonds. Being well received by Catherine de' Medici, he sold her some of the Portuguese Crown Jewels in return for France's support in his plans to reclaim the throne of Portugal.
As António I fell into poverty, his remaining diamonds were disposed of by degrees. The last and finest diamond of the Portuguese Crown Jewels would be aquired by Nicholas Harlai, from whom it would make its way to Maximilien de Béthune, duc de Sully. From Maximilien, the diamond would finally to the French Crown Jewels.
During the Portuguese Restoration War, João II of Braganza sold many of the Portuguese Crown Jewels to finance the war with Spain. When João II became King of Portugal as João IV and deposed the Portuguese House of Habsburg in 1640, he placed his crown with a statue of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception and said that she was the "true Queen of Portugal". Since then, Portuguese monarchs did not have a coronation but instead an acclamation. Before the assumption of the Portuguese Throne by the Portuguese House of Habsburg, the Kings of Portugal used to be anointed and crowned in the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon.
In 1755, the Great Lisbon Earthquake destroyed Portugal and the Paço da Ribeira, the Portuguese royal residence of the time. With the destruction of the palace, inumerous pieces of the Portuguese Crown Jewels of the time were destroyed, lost, or stolen.
While his court was in Rio de Janeiro, João VI had a new set of Portugeuse Crown Jewels made. Constructed by the royal jewelers at the worshop of António Gomes da Silva, the set most notably included a new crown and sceptre, among a plethora of jewelry pieces. The pieces from this era are the majority of the current set of jewels.
When Maria Pia of Savoy became Queen Consort of Portugal, King Luís I ordered many pieces of jewelry to be made, as it was a passion of his wife. Alongside this, he had a new royal mantle produced.
When the Portuguese Royal Family was exiled, many of the jewels were taken with Queen Amélie of Orléans and Queen Mother Maria Pia of Savoy on their respective exiles.
In 2002, a large part of the Portuguese Crown Jewels were stolen from a museum in The Hague, for which they were on loan for an exhibition on European Crown Jewels. Following and investigation, the Dutch government payed a sum of six million euros to the Portuguese government for reperation.
Current Crown Jewels
Though the Portuguese Crown Jewels have had a long history, wars, theft, and devastion have reduced the jewels mainly to those produced under the reigns of João VI and Luís I
Crown of João VI
The Crown of João VI is an imperial format crown. A unique feature of the crown is that composed only of simple gold and red velvet and not a single precious stone or gem. The crown was made in for the acclamation of King João VI. It was created in the workshop of the Royal Jeweler, Don Antonio Gomes da Silva, in Rio de Janeiro.
Sceptre of the Armillary
The Sceptre of the Armillary is the sceptre created for the acclamation of King João VI, in the workshop of the Royal Jeweler, Don Antonio Gomes da Silva, in Rio de Janeiro. The sceptre bears the symbols of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarve, Portugal's designation during João VI's stay in Brazil.
Mantle of João VI
The Mantle of João VI is the royal robe that was fashioned for the acclamation of King João VI. The mantle was fashioned in Portugal, even though João VI's court was in Brazil. The royal robe bears many symbols of the Kingdom of Portugal and was only used by João VI.
Sceptre of the Dragon
The Sceptre of the Dragon is the sceptre created for the acclamation and use of Queen Maria II, in London, England. The sceptre many bears symbols pertaining to Portugal's new constitution, though Portugal would comence its War of the Two Brothers later the year the sceptre was created.
Mantle of Luís I
Diadem of the Stars
Jewels of the House of Braganza
Sources
- Jóias da Coroa portuguesa estão "escondidas" num cofre "sem segurança" (In Portuguese)
- Jóias da Coroa Portuguesa (In Portuguese)
- Portugal’s crown jewels stolen in Holland
- The Portuguese Diamond
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