The Crown of Portugal (1817)

This elegant chased gold crown, which contains no gems, was made in the workshops of Antonio Gomes de Silva in Rio de Janeiro in 1817 for King John (Joao) VI who had become King of Portugal in 1816.

In 1792 John had assumed the reins of government when his mother became insane, although he did not formally become Regent until 1799.

He joined the coalition against a revolutionary France, adopted a repressive policy in Portugal and sought the alliance of England. This resulted in the invasion of Portugal by French and Spanish forces in 1801. They quickly defeated the Portugese forces and John was forced to agree to the terms of the Treaty of Badajoz.

John became completely submissive to Napoleon. However, in 1807 the French again marched against Portugal. John and the Royal Family were forced to flee Lisbon for Brazil, where he set up his court. After the British defeated the French in Portugal they set up a regency to rule the country. John, however, remained in Brazil even after succeeding as king on his mother';s death in 1816.

It was only after the overthrow of the Regency in Portugal by revolution in 1820 and the proclamation of a liberal constitution that John was persuaded by the British to return to Portugal. He left his son Pedro as regent of Brazil. After accepting the constitution, he took advantage of every opportunity to modify it. He put down temporarily an absolutist revolt headed by his wife, Queen Carlota Joaquina and his son Dom Miguel and in 1825 recognized Brazilian independence (proclained in 1822). On his death John left the regency of Portugal to his daughter Isabel, who recognised Pedro as Peter IV of Portugal.

The Crown is currently kept in the National Palace of Ajuda, in Lisbon, with other items of regalia.