A botanical perspective on the Portuguese crown jewels – the golden fleece insignia

Authors

  • Luis Carvalho Beja Polytecnic University
  • Margarida Barros Royal Treasure Museum
  • Mariana Fernandes
  • Francisca Maria Fernandes

Abstract

The Royal Treasury Museum (Lisbon) houses one of the richest collections of jewels in Europe and its collection of circa one thousand pieces, includes many that depict stylized plants. Studying them provides us with an insight into the symbolic use of plants in the societies that created them and reveals their links with the classical symbolic codes. A very precious jewel in the collection is the insignia of the Order of the Golden Fleece, made in the early years of the 19th century, with 1,741 diamonds (more than 300 carats), 190 rubies and one sapphire, arranged in the shape of palm leaves, laurel branches and oak fruits, whose symbolism alludes, not only the Portuguese Royalty, but to the Greco-Roman civilization and to the Christian doctrine.

Author Biographies

Margarida Barros, Royal Treasure Museum

Margarida Barros works in the Education Department of the Royal Treasure Museum and is also a cultural mediator.

Mariana Fernandes

Royal Treasure Museu, Educational Department, Fashion and culture researcher

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Published

2025-01-06

How to Cite

Carvalho, L., Barros, M., Fernandes, M., & Fernandes, F. M. (2025). A botanical perspective on the Portuguese crown jewels – the golden fleece insignia. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 30, 1–13. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/6663

Issue

Vol. 30 (2025)

Section

Notes on Ethnobotany

License

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