After that wonderful thread, initiated by Jorge, about the jewels of the Duchess of Bragança, I'd like to show some of the fabulous pieces, once having belonged to the Portuguese royal family, now owned by the state. Of the jewel collection of Queen Maria-Pia, in particular much of her everyday items, a large part remained in the country after the fall of the monarchy. She had taken up big loans from the Bank of Portugal in her later years and her jewels were handed over as security.
First this portrait of Queen Amélia, wearing on her collet necklace three great sapphires:
The oval one is a 100,05 carat sapphire, surrounded by 24 diamonds. It was probably acquired in 1784.
The two pearshaped pendants of sapphires and pink diamonds can be seen on portraits of Queen Amélia as well as het mother-in-law Queen Maria-Pia, are from the first half of the 19th century