Leitão & Irmão brooch
Originating in Porto, at the end of the 18th century, Casa Leitão became a reference in Jewllery when it was named, in 1873, by D. Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, Goldsmiths of the Imperial House of Brazil and, in 1887, by D Luís I, King of Portugal, Jewelers of the Portuguese Crown.
In 1877, the House moved to the capital, having since that date a store in the Chiado area. The brothers Narciso and José, benefiting from the proximity to the court, undertook the artistic project of restoring the traditions of Portuguese jewllery marking the artistic renewal of national jewllery in the second half of the 19th century.
Through several visits made abroad, including to the major capitals of the time, Paris and London, they brought to Portugal new materials and modern machinery to equip their workshops, while investing in highly skilled and experienced labor.
Queen Maria Pia, perhaps more than King D. Luís, was one of their most enthusiastic and loyal customers, and on several occasions frequent requests were made to Casa Leitão to provide several pieces and present them at Paço for the queen to choose. The pieces, duly labeled with their respective prices, were then subject to the queen’s appreciation.
Visit us and discover first-hand pieces like this Leitão & Irmão brooch, in a stylized vegetal decoration with black enamel set with small diamonds in antique and rose cut, angel skin coral, jadaites and cultured pearls, in the J. Baptista collection.
