Crown of the Day:
The Crown of the King of Bavaria
Ordered and designed 1804-1807 for Maximilian I after Napoleon had raised Bavaria to kingdom status. It was commissioned to the French goldsmith Jean-Baptiste de Lasne, who drew inspiration from the crown of Louis XV of France.
Maximilian I ordered the magnificent regalia which can be seen today in the Treasury at the Residenz in Munich. Made by Biennais, the most famous French goldsmith of the day, the Royal Crown of Bavaria is set with rubies, diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and pearls. The Wittelsbach Diamond was removed and sold in 1931 by the Wittelsbach family.
Like other royal insignia, the crown was not worn by the sovereign. It was placed on a cushion at his feet during official ceremonies in the throne room of his official residence.
July 29, 2011, 10:00am
