Moscow 24

Now that we reach Europe again we have arrived at the biggest concentration of Crowns in the world. Our next stop traveling westward is a large enough collection to be handled by itself. This is the Imperial collection of historic Crowns in the Kremlin Moscow (24 on the map)

Russia/Moscow/Kremlin (Permanent Display 14crowns, 1 empty frame)

The Imperial Crown of Russia

The “miter style” crown is only used by two imperial courts, that of the Holy Roman empire and Imperial Russia. It signifies the close association between these imperial offices and the respective churches, nl. Russian Orthodoxy and Rome. This crown strongly resembles an orthodox miter. Wrought in silver and set with thousands of diamonds and a single large spinel, it truly shows forth the glorious natural wealth of Russia and the once magnificent Romanov dynasty. 

The Empress Consort Crown of Russia.

Set entirely of diamonds, there used to be two of these crowns in the collection but one was sold after the revolution by the Bolsheviks along with many other pieces. It is a "small" crown similarly in size to that of Queen Victoria's. 

Crown of Anna Ioannovna

An older version of the mitre style imperial crown. Made for Czarina Anna Ioannovna and containing diamonds and spinel. 

The Astrakh Crown

Also called the Cap of Kazan, this helmet-like crown was owned by the famous, Ivan the Terrible, first Czar of all the Russias

The Monomakh Crown

The origin of this piece attempts to be legendary but it is however uncertain. Dated around the 14^th century and probably of Byzantium manufacture, if not just inspired by it. It does however prove the romantic fascination the early rulers of Russia had with the Byzantian ideal and marks the true bond between them and the Orthodox faith.

One of many lesser Bolshevic style crowns

Crown of Peter the Great

Another lesser Bolshevik Crown made of gold and precious stones and trimmed with fur

A replica of the Crown of Kazan made from gold and precious stones for the Imperial Family to be worn to a costume ball

The Altabas Crown of Ivan V

A Bolshevik Crown made for Nicholas II to wear to a Costume Ball

An empty frame

Crown of the Order of Malta

The head of the Order of Malta is an elected Princely Title in its own right. They are called; His Eminent Highness, the Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta. Paul I of Russia was elected to this position and had this crown made especially for this title. Even though the Order exists to this day and continues to be lead by an elected Prince, the crown however remains in Russia on display in the Kremlin.

Two nuptial crowns called "Stefana". These belonged to the Count Pushkin and was used by his family during the Orthodox wedding ceremonies.

http://www.tristarmedia.com/bestofrussia/regalia.html

Russia/Moscow/State Historic Museum (Permanent Display 1crown)

Crown of Swedish origin

(All images on this blog are considered defaulted to the public domain due to age and ready sourcing from the internet. If an image on this blog is disputed it will be altered or removed following written protest from an authentic source. please contact me at danielgswan@hotmail.com)

Bhutan 18 Nepal 19 Sri Lanka 20 Kochi 21

This post begins in the small Kingdom of Bhutan (18 on the map) then moves to Bhutan's western neighbour Nepal (19 on the map). We move only slightly west from here but drop far south to the Island Nation of Sri Lanka (20 on the map) and we end off in the City of Kochi (21 0n the map) on the south western tip of India.

 Bhutan/Thimpu/Tashichho Dzong (Not Displayed 1 crown)

The King of Bhutan wears the traditional Raven's Crown. It is seemingly embroidered with gold thread and includes precious stone beads. 

Nepal/Katmandu/Royal Palace (Permanent Display 1crown)

The now ousted King of the former Kingdom of Nepal is seen here wearing the Crown of Nepal less than a decade ago. It is made of gold and includes large diamonds, rubies and emeralds and pearls. Its distinctive feature is the large feather which is reserved for the King's Crown only as many nobles wear similar crowns. 

Sri Lanka/Colombo/ Colombo Museum (Permanent Display of  1 crown)

The Crown of  Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, King of Kandy 1798

The Kingdom of Kandy was an independent state until it was ceded to the British Empire in 1815. Since then the Crown of the former King has been displayed as a historical object. 

India/Kochi/Thripunithura Hill Museum (Permanent Display 1crown)

The Crown of Kochi

Once an semi-dependent kingdom, Kochi's rulers established this crown as the symbol of the city-state's kings. Made of gold and precious stones, this crown has a weird tradition attached to it. The crown was never worn on the head but was rather held on the lap of the king while seated in state upon the throne.  

(All images on this blog are considered defaulted to the public domain due to age and ready sourcing from the internet. If an image on this blog is disputed it will be altered or removed following written protest from an authentic source. please contact me at danielgswan@hotmail.com)

Cambodia 14 Jakarta 15 Malaysia 16 Bangkok 17

Today's post might be a bit confusing as we skip between cities, provinces and countries. First up we have the Kingdom of Cambodia (14 on the map). Next up we have the City of Jakarta (15 on the map) in the Republic of  Indonesia. Then Malaysia (16 on the map) has separate Crowns for 9 of its 13 provinces and the City of Bangkok  (17 on the map) houses the Palace and Crown of Thailand's King.

Cambodia/Phnom Phen/Royal Palace (Not Displayed 1 crown)

The Crown of Cambodia

The cone shaped crown is of a typical style for a Buddhist monarchy. This is a modern copy of the original gold and gem encrusted crown that was lost during the Lon Nol Coup of 1970.

Indonesia/Jakarta/National Museum (Permanent Display 1 crown)

Crown of Sultan Syarif Kasim II

This Muslim crown called a Mahkota was used by the last Sultan of  Siak who joined his region to greater Indonesia in 1945.  

Malaysia has 9 provinces who have traditional Royal Families and displays of Crown Jewels. Every 2 years one of the provincial monarchs takes office as King of all Malaysia on a rotation basis. The Kingdom of Malaysia has a ceremonial headdress for its King as well. 

Malaysia/Kuala Lampur/Istana Negara Palace (1headdress)

The Tengkolok Dijara or King's Headdress. 

Each of the 9 sultanates has its own crown/headdress kept in the royal palace of the respective state (Photo List incomplete).

The Crown of the Sultan of Selangor

The Headdress of the Sultan of Perak

Crown of the Sultan of Johor

The Crown of the Sultan of Kelantan

Crown of the Sultan of Terengganu

(No Photo)

Sultan of Pehang

(No Photo)

Sultan of Perlis

(No Photo)

Sultan of Kedah

(No Photo)

Sultan of Negeri Sembilan

Thailand/Bankok/Grand Palace (Permanent Display 2crowns)

The Crown of Victory

Buddhist regalia is blessed by the priesthood and thus considered as holy objects, to be worn by the semi divine Kings. This crown, made of gold and set with precious stones was worn by King Bumihbol of Thailand, for his coronation in the early 1950’s. Thailand also boasts a Prince's Crown. 

Crown Prince's Crown

(All images on this blog are considered defaulted to the public domain due to age and ready sourcing from the internet. If an image on this blog is disputed it will be altered or removed following written protest from an authentic source. please contact me at danielgswan@hotmail.com)

Beijing 12 and Brunei 13

We have reached China and its greatest city, Beijing (12 on the map). The Chinese Empresses had some elaborate headpieces which could be seen as "crowns" from a western mindset and there are at least two separate exhibits containing these. Next we move to the tiny Sultanate of Brunei (13 on the map). An oil rich independent state neighbouring Malaysia, its ruling sultan also displays his crown. 

China/Beijing/Forbidden City Palace Museum (Permanent Display 1crown)

Ming Dynasty Crown for an Empress

China/Beijing/Dingling Museum (Permanent Display 4crowns)

Ming Dynasty Crown for an Emperor

Ming Dynasty Crown for an Empress

Ming Dynasty Crown of an Empress

Ming Dynasty Crown of an Empress

All the crowns displayed at the Dingling Museum came from excavated tombs. It was the tradition of the Ming Royals to be buried with large quantities of their valuables. 

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2011-08/16/content_13126252.htm

Brunei/Bandar Seri Begawan/Royal Regalia Building (Permanent Display 2crowns, other diadems)

 The Crown of the Sultan of Brunei. 

This crown called a Mahkota  is used to actually crown the Sultan. It is made of solid gold in the traditional style of the region. 

The Crown of the Crown Prince of Brunei.

The Nuptial Headdress of the Crown Princess of Brunei. 

(All images on this blog are considered defaulted to the public domain due to age and ready sourcing from the internet. If an image on this blog is disputed it will be altered or removed following written protest from an authentic source. please contact me at danielgswan@hotmail.com)