The Royal Treasure Museum is a project born from the joint efforts of the Lisbon City Council, the Lisbon Tourism Association (ATL) and Cultural Heritage, which allowed the development of a new facility to complete the work on the Ajuda Palace, a historic building and national monument of great importance. The building had been unfinished for more than 200 years. With its completion, it has been possible to permanently exhibit a large collection of pieces of great wealth from the Portuguese Crown, which had been kept in a safe since 1910.
Located in the west wing of the Ajuda National Palace, the Royal Treasure Museum has been exhibiting one of the rarest and most complete collections of royal treasures since June 2022, including jewelry, insignia and decorations, coins and pieces of civil and religious goldsmith's work, silverware and the most imposing and rare 18th century French Rococo silver tableware, among others, with more than 22,000 precious stones, mostly diamonds.
The architectural project was designed by João Carlos dos Santos, in a specific contemporary architectural design, both to adapt to the existing neoclassical building and to guarantee maximum security for the collection.
Visiting the exhibition is a unique experience, as the collection is housed in and alongside one of the largest vaults in the world. It is a three-story golden box, 40 meters deep, 10 meters high and 10 meters wide, whose 2-meter thick walls and two armored steel doors, each weighing 5 tons, create an atmosphere of fascination and mystery, perfect for presenting the collection.
On December 1st, 1887, King Luís awarded Leitão & Irmão the title of Joalheiros da Coroa. This union resulted in countless orders and associated purchases. However, it should be noted that even before this title was awarded, the Leitão & Irmão house, already goldsmiths to the Royal House, received several orders for the most important celebrations of the Portuguese Royal Family, such as the wedding of King Carlos (May 1886) and the baptism of Prince Luís Filipe (April 1887).It should be noted that in the Charter of the Crown Jewelers, King Luís emphasised his gratitude and the importance of granting the title to Leitão & Irmão, stating:“It is my good pleasure to appoint you as Jewelers of the Crown.”
Transcript of the title of Crown Jewelers awarded in 1887
Replica of the title of Crown Jewellers, Leitão & Irmão, on permanent display at the Royal Treasury Museum from March 27, 2025.
Mordomia Mor Secretaria dos Filhamentos
Eu El Rei Faço saber a vós António de Mello, Marquez de Ficalho, Par do Reino, Conselheiro de Estado effectivo, Gram Cruz da antiga e muito nobre ordem da Torre de Espada do lator Lealdade e Mérito da de Nosso Senhor Jesus Christo e de outras estrangeiras, Gentil Homem da Minha Real Camara e Meu Mordomo Mor que attentas as circumstancias, que concorrem em Leitão & Irmão, ourives da Minha Real Casa; Hei por bem e Me Praz Fazer lhes mercê de os Nomear Joalheiros da Coroa, sem vencimento algum pela Fazenda Real, gosando porem de todas as honras e prerogativas que lhes competirem. Mando vos os façais assentar no Livro da Matricula dos Moradores da Minha Casa em seu titulo como dito fica. Paço em vinte e trez de Dezembro de mil oitocentos oitenta e sete.
(assinatura D’El Rei D. Luís)
Marquez Mordomo mor
Alvará pelo qual Vossa Magestade Há por bem Fazer mercê a Leitão & Irmão, ourives da Sua Real Casa, de os Nomear Joalheiros da Coroa.
Para Vossa Magestade Ver
Although only a small part of the pieces commissioned by the Crown and the Royal Family are on display at the Royal Treasury Museum, we have an extraordinary set of pieces that reveal the technical excellence of this renowned goldsmith's workshop. The most representative part of the Leitão & Irmão exhibition is, of course, the jewellery section.
As already mentioned, before handing over the title of jewelers of the Portuguese Crown, King Luís and Queen Maria Pia were going to place an important order for the baptism of Prince Luís Filipe. The Prince was born on March 21, 1887 at the Paço de Belém (now the National Palace of Belém). The birth of the first-born son of King Carlos and Queen Amélia was a great joy for the royal family and the Portuguese population. Amélia. All the excitement was recorded in the newspapers of the time, such as the Diário de Notícias e Diário Illustrado. The solemn baptism took place on April 14 in the chapel of the Palácio da Ajuda, also duly recorded in the diaries of the time.
Among the pieces commissioned by King Luís, the prince's grandfather and godfather, is the reversible breast pin in gold, diamonds, emeralds, rubies and enamel. This one features the monogram of King Luís and Queen Maria Pia, “ML”, engraved in gold with diamonds and emeralds, and, on the back, the Cross of the Order of Christ accompanied by the motto of the Order, “IN HOC SIGNO VINCES” (with this symbol you will win), and the date of baptism, “14-4-87”. The order also includes three tie pins with the same monogram, the motto of the Order of Christ and the same date.
This group of pieces is joined by bracelet in gold, diamonds, emeralds and enamelThe same monogram, but this time with a different motto: the motto of the de Bragança Family, “After You, Us”. The motto appears along the bracelet's strap and, in a very original way, the word “we” is replaced by two knots.
Queen Maria Pia, perhaps even more than King Luís himself, stood out as one of Leitão & Irmão's most enthusiastic and loyal customers. Not only did she order exclusive pieces of jewellery and goldsmith's work, but she often bought pieces that had already been created, demonstrating her refined taste and true passion for the art of goldsmithing.
D. Maria Pia commissioned a mourning medallion in 1890 on the occasion of the death of the King on 19 October 1889. When closed, the black enamel medallion bears the crowned monogram "LI" set with diamonds; when open, it shows the King's portrait painted on ivory, accompanied by a lock of his hair. In the 19th century, it was customary to save strands of hair from a loved one and use them to make jewelry. They were known as 'jewels of affection' and could be special mementos of loved ones, living or deceased, as is the case with this medallion. black enamel medallionWhen closed, it features the crowned monogram “L1º” set with diamonds; when open, it features a portrait of the King painted on ivory and a lock of his hair. In the 19th century, it was common practice to save strands of hair from a loved one and make jewelry from them. They were known as “jewels of affection” and could be special mementos of living or deceased loved ones, as is the case with this locket.
King Luís died in Cascais after a long illness, and his funeral cortege set off from the Cascais Citadel towards the Jerónimos on 21 October at 10pm, accompanied by the Queen, members of the Court and the Ministry. It took five hours for the cortege to reach the Church of Santa Maria de Belém, where Prince Carlos, the next King of Portugal, lay in state. The church remained open day and night until the funeral, which took place on the 26th in the church of São Vicente de Fora. The choice of the Jerónimos is not explained, but Diário de Notícias wrote: "The king, who wanted to be a sailor, died cradled by the waves and rests in the temple dedicated to Portuguese maritime expeditions, next to Vasco da Gama and Camões".
In November 1892, Maria Pia assumed the role of Regent of the Kingdom in the absence of King Carlos and Queen Amelia, who were in Spain attending the Centenary of Colombo celebrations from 9 to 18 November. During this short period, Maria Pia visited hospitals, prisons, schools, ships, barracks and arsenals, a total of 24 institutions, a program previously prepared by King Carlos, who knew that Maria Pia had the sympathy and confidence of the people in her political sense.
Still in the Jewelry section, we have a reference to a diadema Also in the Jewelry section, there is a reference to a diadem commissioned from Leitão & Irmão by Maria Pia on the occasion of Carlos' marriage to Amélia on May 22, 1886. This imposing floral diadem was created with diamonds from the excavation of the diadem that Pedro gave to Estefânia in 1858. The diadem also belonged to Maria Pia, who received it as a gift from Luís in 1862. Maria Pia wore it “with brilliance” during the wedding festivities in Turin, as recorded in the Gazetta del Popolo.
Finally, in the Diplomatic Gifts section, we find the magnificent Finally, in the Diplomatic Gifts section, we find the magnificent by representatives of Angolan agriculture, commerce and industry. This diplomatic gift was a gesture of gratitude for the Prince's three-month visit to the Portuguese colonies in Africa. It was the first time a member of the Royal Family had visited the colonies. The trip took place on board the liner Africa, which passed through South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, São Tomé and Cape Verde. The trip was widely publicised in the Portuguese and Angolan press at the time.
The safe was manufactured in the prestigious Leitão & Irmão workshops in Lisbon's Bairro Alto by two Portuguese masters: Júlio Rodrigues, head of the workshop, and the young and promising João da Silva. This chiseled silver masterpiece displays magnificent, detailed workmanship. Its edges feature four figures representing the original peoples of Angola. The weight of the chest is supported by four rhinoceroses, and at the top, four ivory tusks meet in the center, topped by the Royal Crown, giving it a touch of majesty and symbolism.
Throughout the ages, diplomacy has played a decisive role in relations between states, as well as between entities. Like treaties and agreements, diplomatic gifts are part of and an expression of these relationships, with their own load of meaning and symbolism.
The Royal Treasure Museum offers a unique experience as you explore the history and richness of the jewelry of Casa Leitão & Irmão, one of the most prestigious in the country. Through its exceptional pieces, which range from orders placed by the Portuguese Royal Family to diplomatic gifts, the museum reveals not only the technical skill of the Leitão & Irmão workshop, but also the symbolic and historical depth of the pieces. The meticulous work of the goldsmiths, combined with the historical moments that marked the pieces - such as King Luís Filipe's visit to the Portuguese colonies or the gestures of affection and respect from the royal family - allow us to immerse ourselves in the political, social and cultural context of 19th century Portugal. The collection is therefore not just a set of jewels, but a testimony to the link between the monarchy, diplomacy and the art of creating pieces of inestimable value.
THANKS TO:
Educational Service of the Royal Treasury Museum
She graduated in Art History from the Faculty of Letters of the University of Lisbon and specialized in Museology, Museography and Curatorship. She has worked as a cultural mediator in museums such as the National Museum of Ancient Art, the Money Museum, the Pharmacy Museum, the National Palace of Queluz, the Gulbenkian Museum and the Jewish Museum of Lisbon. In 2023, she joined the Educational Service of the Royal Treasury Museum. Her passion for communication and art, combined with her commitment to an inclusive and fair society, are the pillars of her career.
Online Store
+351 211 994 104
(call to the Portuguese landline network)
+351 916 547 306
(call to the Portuguese mobile network)
Mon to Fri | 09h-18h
Chiado
+351 213 257 870
(call to the Portuguese landline network)
+351 912 228 817
(call to the Portuguese mobile network)
2ª a domingo | 10h-19h
Closed on Sundays (from January to March)
Bairro Alto
+351 213 424 107
(call to the Portuguese landline network)
+351 919 197 263
(call to the Portuguese mobile network)
Mon to Fri | 10h-18h
Estoril, Cascais
+351 211 349 608
(call to the Portuguese landline network)
+351 910 398 475
(call to the Portuguese mobile network)
2ª a domingo | 10h-19h
Closed on Sundays (from January to March)
Leitão & Irmão, 2023. All rights reserved. Powered by Ad-pulse.
Subscribe to out newsletter, discover all the news and receive 10% discount on your first purchase.
Enjoy Leitão & Irmão products.
