Actually there's one "jewel" missing from this crown, but it's still my favourite find at Sunday's Antiquites Brocante at Bastille, Paris. The beautiful gold gilt and metal object dates from the 19th century and once crowned a statue of the Madonna or a wooden santos or saint's head in a French church. Such crowns also were featured in religious processions prior to Easter Sunday.
This gold gilt crown, also 19th-century, was worn by children in parades and religious processions in France. I have nine similar crowns stacked one on top of the other in a tall glass museum display globe. The crowns are fashioned with gold leaves and acorns, symbols of renewal and fertility.
I want to clap aloud. You must have done so when you found them - or are you a cool shopper?
Posted by: Rebekah | 15 May 2006 at 19:51
Even though this beautiful crown is connected to religion, it makes me want to have really long princess hair and wear it(but it looks heavy). I'm letting my inner "watched too many Disney movies" self come out for a minute and as much as I resist the whole wanting to be a princess thing that is what I thought, so that is what I'm choosing to post :-)
Posted by: Jennifer (she said) | 15 May 2006 at 15:26
It seems we collect many of the same things...If we go to an antique fair we will be racing and juming over one another ;)!
These are lovely!! Lucky finds!
Posted by: tongue_in_cheek_antiques | 15 May 2006 at 14:05
What a wonderful visual feast you've laid out today! I'm particularly enjoying the crowns- tasty!
Posted by: bb | 15 May 2006 at 14:02