Garments of an Empress - the crown

This replica crown is based primarily upon that of Maria of Alania shown in the Coislin 69 manuscript in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. Its inverted conical shape is one of the two the distinguishing characteristic of middle and late Byzantine Empress’ crowns. Points projecting above the body of the crown are also seen occasionally, although that feature is also found on the junior female crown.

One of the most prevalent decorative techniques across a wide range of élite metalwork was to string pearls on a wire held by loops to the surface of the object. At times the pearls were run in a channel defined by beaded or twisted wire as here, or otherwise simply run around the margin of other decorative elements such as enamels.

Click on various parts of the outfit for more detailed pictures and explanations.