Thank you Lucas, Cristina and Jorge for posting once again so many fabulous images and interesting stories! Even more so for your inspiring and infectious enthusiasm about everything concerning this part of your national heritage (not quite in Lucas' case, I gather)! What a pleasure to read!
--Previous Message-- : 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 : :