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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., A presença do coração na ourivesaria popular, e em inúmeros objectos utilitários e decorativos, atesta a sua indispensabilidade nas relações entre os indivíduos, nomeadamente as amorosas; às formas do coração atribuem-se dezenas de interpretações metafóricas, e, em termos de sentimento, este instituiu- se como redoma, receptáculo do mais alto valor a entesourar1.Como adorno, foi elaborado em diferentes técnicas, exibiu tamanhos mínimos e dimensões espectaculares, oscilou entre a representação do amor divino e da paixão humana. Sofreu oscilações de dimensão e de posição hierárquica dentro da composição áurea apresentada pela mulher do campo, consagrando-se como um tesouro de sentimentos, de perícia técnica e de reserva de valor, revelando-se como uma das peças mais desejadas, mais exibidas pelas suas usuárias e, por isso, mais emblemáticas do ouro popular português.

The goldsmith benches we will discuss in this article were used through centuries and until mid-twentieth century and were a piece of furniture used in the goldsmith workshops, serving as a support for the multiple tasks necessary to produce gold or silver ornaments. The structure of the portuguese goldsmith’s benches is characterized by a formal simplicity, the use of local wood and other resources, showing, therefore, a very regional character, while presenting clean and archaic lines common to all workshops and regions. Their essence resided in the type of work for which they were created, the place for where they were built, but also in the link with the physical traits of the men who used them and the way they performed their craft.

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