The most unusual gold crowns in history
Over the centuries, a number of peoples have had a common tradition for all rulers to wear a headdress as a symbol of greatness. Initially, monarchs directly fulfilled the role of military leaders: therefore, their crowns resembled richly decorated battle helmets. However, over time, the crown of power was transformed into luxurious bowls or wreaths covered with precious stones.
In the contemporary world, for the most part, crowns can be found only in museums. Luxury relics invariably attract the eyes of visitors of exhibition halls and collectors. And some of them noticeably stand out among their “brethren”.
Bohemian Crown
Crown of Princess Blanche or Bohemian crown is the oldest royal crown of England. The approximate date of manufacture of the relic is 1370. It belonged to Princess Blanche, the daughter of King Henry IV.
The crown consists of a sturdy gold hoop decorated with twelve prongs in the shape of fleur-de-lis (heraldic lilies). The headdress is literally studded with sapphires, rubies and diamonds, with pearl buds «blooming» between them.
Many collectors call this symbol of power the best work of jewelry art of the second half of the 14th century.
Cheonmachong Crown
The Cheonmachong Crown is an equally beautiful piece of jewelry that belonged to the kings of the Korean Silla dynasty. Its design includes a golden hoop encrusted with jade beads, from which stylized branches go upward, and chains with precious stones are located in the lower part. The headdress was discovered in 1973 during excavations. Archaeologists agree that the crown was made in the 5th century.
Jewelry experts note that the crown is too light and fragile. Therefore, there was a version that such an accessory was made specifically for the ruler’s burial. Now the headdress is exhibited in the Seoul museum.
Great Crown of Victory
One of the most majestic of its kind is a crown from Thailand. The headdress weighing more than seven kilograms and measuring 66 centimeters high was created in 1782 by order of King Rama I.
The crown is made of gold and encrusted with precious stones. Later it was decorated with a large 40-carat diamond brought from India by Rama IV.
Crown of Nepal
The crown from Nepal also has an interesting design. Its base consists of a gold frame with an inner cylinder of cloth, and the body is decorated with images of saints and precious stones. According to archaeologists, the royal crown is decorated with 723 diamonds, 2,372 pearls, 47 emeralds and 16 rubies. The upper part of the crown has a plume of feathers of rare birds.
The jewelry masterpiece was made in 1740 for Empress Mind Map of the Shah dynasty. In 2008, after the fall of the monarchy, the crown disappeared but was returned five years later. It is currently kept in the Narayanhiti Palace Museum.
The crowns of monarchs are not only magnificent pieces of jewelry, but also have a deep historical and cultural significance. And the fact that they were made of gold once again emphasizes the value and importance of the precious metal.
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