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

The Royal Treasury Museum in Lisbon has one of the most impressive collections of jewels in Europe, comprising around one thousand pieces. Many of these jewels feature intricate designs inspired by stylized plants. Studying them offers valuable insight into the symbolic use of plants in former societies and their connection to classical symbolic codes. One of the collection's most precious treasures is the insignia of the Order of the Golden Fleece, crafted in the early 19th century. It is adorned with 1,741 diamonds (exceeding 300 carats), 190 rubies, and a single sapphire, all arranged in the shapes of palm leaves, laurel branches, and oak fruits. These elements allude not only to the Portuguese monarchy but also evoke the heritage of Greco-Roman civilization and Christian doctrine.