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NUPTIAL CROWN

Creator(s): Unknown (Jeweler) , Leopold Pfisterer (Jeweler)

On view in: Russian Sacred Arts Gallery


About this object

Empress Alexandra wore this crown at her wedding to Nicholas II in 1894. It came to be considered part of the imperial wedding regalia, along with a diamond studded kokoshnik that was worn in front of it, long diamond earrings, a jeweled clasp for the robe, and heavy bracelets, some of which date to the time of Catherine the Great. Bands of diamonds are sewn onto the velvet-covered supports of this orb-shaped wedding crown, and a cross of six larger, old mine-cut diamonds surmounts it. Three rows of small diamonds with two rows of larger diamonds in between form the bands.

Crown of simple orb like shape, is formed of six silver bands surmounted by a cross and is encrusted with approximately 1,535 old mine diamonds. The diamonds are attached to strips of fabric in rows as they would have been used as epaulet ornament in the 18th c. Diamonds came from a doublet belonging to Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich. The crown has flaps at the bottom so it can be pinned on the hair.

Object name:
NUPTIAL CROWN
Made from:
Silver -- diamonds -- velvet
Made in:
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Date made:
1767-1884
Size:
5 3/4 × 4 in. (14.6 × 10.2 cm)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
17.63
Class:
JEWELRY
Signature marks:
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973