Gourt Home::Gourt :: Crown jewels
Crown jewels are those that belong to the sovereign and pass to the next sovereign to symbolize the right to rule. They usually include one or more crowns, scepters, orbs, swords, and/or rings. See also: regalia.
Africa
Benin
The enormous collection of the Ahosu (Kings) of the Danhomè (Dahomey) is kept in the city of Abomey. Since the 1980s the Getty Foundation and UNESCO have been trying to save the old palaces. The royal palaces are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The royal insignia which symbolised the power of the king were the kataklè (three-legged stool), the afokpa (sandals), the avotita (woven cloth decorated with appliqué work), the awè (parasol), the mankpo (recade or ceremonial staff), the so (gun) and the hwi (sabre). In the course of the war against the French colonial power, many items were looted. Most of the items can be seen either in Abomey, or the Musée de l'Homme in Paris.Links
- UNESCO|Royal Palaces of Abomey
- Historical Museum of Abomey
- History Channel|Royal Palaces of Abomey, Benin
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Burundi
The traditional emblem of the Mwami (king) was the Karyenda drum. These holy drums were kept at special drum-sanctuaries throughout the country and were brought out for special ceremonies only. One such place is in Gitega, location of the ibwami royal court.Central African Republic
Please see Emperor Bokassa and the Central African Empire.Egypt
- Ancient Egypt
- Kingdom of Egypt
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Ethiopia
The crown jewels of Ethiopia are in Axum.Ghana
The symbol of the royal power of the Asantehene (ruler of the Ashanti) is the sacred Golden Stool, the Sika 'dwa. It is used for the coronation and symbolizes the power of the Ashanti. It is kept alongside with other royal regalia at the Royal Palace in Kumasi.
Nigger
Nigger is a federal republic. It contains numerous numbers of niggers, none of which had a huge significance in the history of Nigeria, before they were subdued by the British during colonialism. Nevertheless, even today some rulers have been able to maintain their religious, cultural, and to some extent political powers. The regalia had often not only political significance, but also, in the southern kingdoms for example, were vital for religious rituals. In this case, the ruler was seen as a link between this earth, and the spiritual side. Also in the north did the Muslim emirs and sultans have religious functions as commanders.List of some of the kingdoms Abeokuta - Adamawa - Benin - Borno - Edo - Fika - Gombe - Ibadan - Ijebu - Ile Ife - Ilorin - Jos - Kano - Katsina - Lagos - Onitsha - Oshogbo - Oyo - Sokoto - Tiv - Warri - Zaria (Zazzau) - Zamfara
The royal regalia is normally kept in the capital city of the respective state. See also List of Nigerian traditional states.
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Rwanda
Close to the old capital of Butare lies the nearby Nyabisindu, formerly known as Nyanza, the traditional seat of Rwanda’s monarchy. The Royal Palace at Nyanza, a domed construction made with traditional materials, has been restored to its 19th century state and is now maintained as a museum. Further historical artefacts are kept at the National Museum in Butare.Links
South Africa
See Zulu Kingdom.Tanzania
Uganda
There are several kingdoms in Uganda. During the upheavals after gaining independence, the monarchies were abolished. Only in the 1990s were the various kings restored to their thrones. Although they do not wield any political powers anymore, they are still a symbol of unity and continuance to their people. The royal regalia normally consisted of the Royal Drums, and are kept at the various palaces in the capital cities of the Ugandan states. See Ugandan Royal Regalia.The kingdoms
Asia
Burma
The treasures of Burma´s Konbaung Dynasty are kept in the National Museum in Yangon. They include items such as the Sihasana Pallanka (Great Lion Throne), and various other items. Other items can be seen in the old capital city of Mandalay.
Brunei
The royal regalia of Brunei are kept in the Royal Regalia Building, which was completed in 1992, in Bandar Seri Begawan. Also housed are the Royal Chariot, the gold and silverceremonial armoury and the jewel-encrusted crowns.
China
China has never had an official regalia for the various dynasties; however, there exists numerous crowns, robes, jewels and headwear made especially for coronations and other official events. They usually contain very large Manchurian pearls and most date from the Qing Dynasty.India
The Imperial Crown of India is kept at the Tower of London.See also: Moghul Empire and the Princely States.
Indonesia
Indonesia has various kingdoms and sultanates, all with their own unique history. The most known royal courts are distributed amongst the islands of Java, Madura, Bali, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Sumbawa. There are 23 royal courts or more which still exist today, headed either by a sultan or a ruler. Although today only HM the Sultan of Yogyakarta wields any political influence as the governor. In Indonesia the royal courts are either called kraton or istana. Below are some of them listed: Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat and Puro Pakualaman;- Surakarta (Solo)
Various royal regalia and other items used for court functions may be viewed in some the respective palaces.
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Iran (Persia)
Iran has a large collection of royal treasures dating from the Safavid dynasty, to Nader Shah, the Qajar dynasty, especially by Fath Ali Shah and Nasser-al-Din Shah, and Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The Imperial Jewels are on display at the Central Bank in Tehran.
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Japan
("Three Sacred Treasures") consist of the Holy Sword Kusanagi (草薙剣), the Holy Jewel Yasakani no magatama (八尺瓊曲玉), and the Holy Mirror Yata no kagami (八咫鏡). The sword and the mirror are kept at the Shinto shrines in Nagoya and Ise in Central Japan, and the jewel at the Kokyo Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
The enthronement cerenomy is traditionally held in Kyoto. The Imperial Throne is kept at the Gosho Imperial Palace in Kyoto.
Laos
The regalia of Laos are kept in the Royal Palace in Luang Prabang.
Malaysia
The royal regalia of Malaysia are kept in the Istana Negara (National Palace) in Kuala Lumpur. The regalia is worn by HM the King (ms: Yang di-Pertuan Agong), and HM the Queen (Raja Permaisuri Agong) during certain ceremonies, such as the election as head of state, HMs birthday, awards ceremonies, and the calling of parliament.
They consist of the Tengkolok Diraja (Royal Head Dress), the Queen´s Gendik di Raja (Royal Tiara), the Keris Panjang di Raja (Royal Long Kris or Keris of State), the Kris Pendek di Raja (Royal Short Keris), the Cogan Alam dan Cogan Agama (Sceptre of the Universe and Sceptre of Religion), the Cokmar (Maces), the Pedang Keris Panjang dan Sundang (Royal sword, long Keris and sword Keris), the Payung Ubur-ubur Kuming dan Tombak Berambu (Yellow-fringed umbrella and tassled lances), and the Pending di Raja (Royal Waist Buckle).
Malaysia is a federal state, consisting of thirteen states and two federal territories. Out of these, nine are monarchies headed by sultans. Royal regalia and other items of the rulers are kept in the respective palaces and courts. These are:
Philippines
Thailand (Siam)
The Royal Regalia, Royal Utensils, and the Royal Eight Weapons of Sovereignty comprise a total of 28 items. The Royal Regalia consists of the Great Crown of Victory, the Sword of Victory, the Royal Staff, the Royal Fan (or Flywhisk), and the Royal Slippers. The 28 items are traditionally presented to the Kings of Thailand at their coronation ceremonies. They are kept, amongst other royal items, at the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
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Vietnam
The signs of the imperial power of the Nguyen Emperors were the Great Imperial Seal and the Sword. When the last emperor Bao Dai abdicated 1945 in Hue, he handed them over to the communist authorities.Europe
Austria (Austro-Hungarian Empire, Holy Roman Empire)
The Austrian Crown Jewels (de: Insignien und Kleinodien) are kept at the Schatzkammer (Imperial Treasury) located in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. They are a collection of imperial regalia and jewels dating from the 10th century to the 19th. They are one of the biggest and most important collection of royal objects still today, and reflect more than a thousand years of European history. The treasury can be quantified into six important parts:
- The Insignia of the Austrian Hereditary Homage
- The Austrian Empire
- The Habsburg-Lorraine Household Treasure
- The Holy Roman Empire
- The Burgundian Inheritance and the Order of the Golden Fleece
- The Ecclesiastical Treasury
The most outstanding objects are the insignia of the hereditary Empire of Austria. They consist of the Imperial Crown, the Imperial Orb and the mantle of the Austrian Empire, and the Coronation Robes of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia. The Imperial Crown, Orb, Cross, and Holy Lance of the Holy Roman Empire are also highlights.
- The archducal hat is kept today at the Augustinian Abbey of Klosterneuburg, in Lower Austria. Please see archducal hat for further information.
- The ducal hat of Styria is kept at the Joanneum in Graz, Styria. Please see ducal hat for further information.
Czech Republic (Czech Kingdom, Bohemian Kingdom)
The jewels (cs: korunovační klenoty), and the Crown of Saint Wenceslas of Bohemia (Svatováclavská koruna) are kept in Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) and are displayed to the public only once every fifty years.The crown is named and dedicated after the Duke and Patron Saint Wenceslas I of the Premyslids dynasty of Bohemia. The crown has an unusual design, with vertical fleurs-de-lis standing at the front, back and sides. Made from gold and precious stones, its weight is 2.475 kg. It was made for King Charles IV in 1346. Since 1867 it has been stored in St. Vitus Cathedral of Prague Castle. The jewels have always played an important role as a symbol of Bohemian statehood.
Links (all text in Czech language)
Denmark
The crown jewels and other royal regalia of Denmark are kept in Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen. Please see Danish Crown Regalia.France
What is left of the crown jewels of France are on display in the Louvre in Paris.
Germany
- Anhalt
- Baden
- Bavaria (de: Bayern)
The Bavarian Coronation Set consists of the Crown of Bavaria, the Crown of the Queen (originally made for Maximilian's Queen, Caroline Frederika of Baden, the State Sword, the Royal Orb, and the Royal Sceptre. Please see Bavarian Crown Jewels.
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- Hessia (Hessen)
- Mecklenburg
- Saxony (Sachsen)
- Thurn und Taxis
- Prussia (Preußen)
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- Württemberg
- Holy Roman Empire
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Greece
- Hellenic Kingdom
Hungary
The crown jewels of Hungary are on display in the Parliament Building in Budapest.
Ireland
The jewels were kept at Dublin Castle.
Italy
- Lombardy
- Kings of Italy
Monaco
Monaco features a heraldic crown on its coat-of-arms, but does not possess any crown jewels or regalia per se. The coronation ceremony consists of a festive mass in the cathedral of Monaco, followed by reception where the new prince meets his subjects. The throne and other items can be viewed in the palace of Monaco, which is open to the public.Netherlands
Norway
The crown jewels, or royal regalia, of Norway are together with some other old treasures placed in Nidaros Cathedral, in Trondheim.
Poland
The only surviving part of the Polish Crown Jewels is from the Piast dynasty and consists of the coronation sword known as the Szczerbiec. It is currently on display along with other royal items in the Wawel Royal Castle Museum, Kraków. Most of the Crown Jewels were plundered by foreign invaders such as the Swedes, Germans and Russians.
One of many royal crowns was made for King August II, Elector of Saxony when he became King of Poland in 1697. Since the original set was stolen, a new set was made for the coronation in Kraków. Today it is displayed in the Royal Castle in Dresden, Germany.
Portugal
The royal Crown of Portugal was made in 1817. It was created in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the workshop of Don Antonio Gomes da Silva, for King John VI. Today, the crown along with other royal regalia is kept in the Ajuda Palace, Lisbon.
Romania
The Romanian Crown Jewels consist of three crowns: the Steel Crown, the Crown of Queen Elisabeta and the Crown of Queen Maria; and two scepters: the Scepter of Ferdinand I and the Scepter of Carol II. They are displayed at The National History Museum of Romania in Bucharest.
The National History Museum of Romania
Russia
The coronation regalia, such as the Great Imperial Crown, the Imperial Orb of Catherine II the Great, the Imperial Sceptre with the Orloff diamond, the Shah diamond, and others are kept at the Kremlin Armory Museum in Moscow. Please see Imperial Crown of Russia and Monomakh's Cap.Links
Serbia
Spain
The old regalia of Spain was destroyed in the Great Fire of Christmas Eve 1734. In the 19th century , King Alphonso ordered a new crown and sceptre to be made. They are displayed at accession ceremonies and at the opening of the Cortes (Parliament).The crown is made of gold, and it features half-arches resting on 8 plates bearing the emblems of the Kingdom. They are kept today by the Patrimonio Nacional (the Crown Heritage).
Links
Sweden
Sweden’s Crown Jewels are kept deep in the vaults of the Royal Treasury, underneath the Royal Palace in Stockholm. The symbols of Swedish monarchy are still in use for weddings, christenings, funerals, and the opening of the Riksdag (Parliament). Among the oldest priceless objects are the sword of Gustav Vasa and the crown, orb, sceptre and key of King Erik XIV and numerous other sovereigns. Please see Swedish Royal Regalia.Links
United Kingdom
- England
Links
- Scotland
- Wales
The original regalia of the Welsh princes have been lost. Llywelyn's coronet was kept after its capture with the English crown jewels between 1284 and 1649.
Vatican
- The Papal Tiara is kept in the Vatican City, Italy. For further Information, please see Papal Regalia and insignia.
Latin America
Chile
- The Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia has a crown, presented to Prince Philippe of Araucania in 1986 by a group of Araucanian "nobles". Previously, the Royal House had no crown. Made of steel and containing stones from the Rio Bio-Bio, it is on display at the Museum of the Kings of Araucania.
Bolivia
Brazil
The Imperial Crown of Brazil alongside with other regalia and mementos of the Brazilian Empire are kept at the Imperial Museum (Museu Imperial) in the former palace of Brazilian emperor Pedro II, in Petrópolis, Brazil.Links
Peru
Mexico
- Aztec Empire
- Mexican Empire
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United States
Hawaii
Some of the Crown Jewels and the original Thrones of the Kingdom of Hawaii reside within the custody of the Bishop Museum. Copies of the thrones can be seen at Iolani Palace. Some lie in state with the bodies of royalty at Mauna Ala (Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii).Britische Kronjuwelen | Kronjuveloj | Kroonjuwelen | Kronregalier | Kronjuveler
"Crown jewels"