O coração na ourivesaria popular portuguesa

Dozens of metaphoric interpretations are attributed to the heart and in terms of feelings it established itself as a container for the highest value to treasure. The presence of such shape in the Portuguese traditional jewelry, and in a large number of utilitarian objects, shows the need of the symbolism of the heart in the human relationships, mainly in those which include love. As an adornment the heart pendant was produced in different techniques and showed several dimensions, from diminutive to large sizes, and its significance changed in between the representation of divine love and human passion. It suffered a modification in the hierarchic position which generally had in the jewelry used by the farmer women and, through the centuries, it displayed feelings, technical skills and wealth, turning out to be one of the most wanted and most displayed pieces, and therefore, one of the most emblematic jewels in the ensemble of the portuguese traditional jewelry.