A crown is a symbolic form of headgear, usually made of precious materials, worn by a sovereign or by a god, for whom the crown is traditionally one of the symbols of power and legitimacy.
Four distinct categories of crowns exist in those monarchies that use crowns or state regalia.
- Coronation crowns - only worn by monarchs at the point of coronation, i.e. installaton by taking possession of the crown
- State or Imperial crowns - crowns worn by monarchs on other state occasions
- Consort crowns - crowns worn by Queens consort; these are however not signifying any power vested in her, just of protocollary rank that is, constitutionally, just a courtesy
- Similar headgear, worn by nobility and other high ranking people below the ruler, is in English called a coronet. However in many languages the same word is used, e.g. French couronne, Italian corona, German Krone, Dutch kroon
In Classical antiquity the crown (corona) that was sometimes awarded to people other than rulers, such as triumphal military generals or athletes, was actually a wreath or chaplet, or ribbonlike diadem.
When I was 22-years-old, I went for the first time to London. I visited plenty of places, feeling totally in awe. When I finally went to see the Tower of London, I decided to visit also the old Wakefield Tower that, at that time, was used as the Jewel House for the safe keeping and exhibition of the Crown Jewels.
I remember that there was an incredibly huge number of people waiting to access it - I had to queue for more than four hours! But I was determined to see the jewels.
When I finally could enter the Wakefield Tower... I suddenly felt as if I was in the Wonderland! I was totally overwhelmed by the beauty of the jewels there exhibited. One was more splendid than the other.
In particular, I felt fascinated by the Crowns there exposed, their beauty, their preciousness, their uniqueness.
After that occasion, I went several more times to London and, almost each time, I went again to admire the Crown Jewels. Since 1994, they have resided in the new purpose built Jewel House. They are now even better exhibited, and each time I go to London, I spend a good while daydreaming in front of them.
So my interest about the kingly crowns was born, and I started to research in order to see which other crowns worldwide were of interest. I could not visit each and every of them, of course, so I contented myself finding pictures and descriptions.
I decided, thus, to share with you all the beauty that these special jewels possess. I therefore made this section of our virtual house, to let you too enjoy the art of these special objects.
I hope you will appreciate this virtual visit and, if you happens to have more items to add to this collection, missing data or better pictures, please send them in an e-mail. Thank you, and have a good time.
Andrej Koymasky
