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Great Imperial Crown
Annotation
Our project is devoted to a special date slated for celebration in 2013 – the 400th anniversary of the House of Romanov.
The great imperial crown of the Russian Empire is the special, precious, coronation headwear of Russian emperors symbolizing the highest hierarchical rank and serving as the emblem of supreme power – the sign of monarchical distinction.
The jewellery masterpiece is comprised of two silver semi-spheres epitomizing the unification of East and West within the territory of the Russian Empire, the bridging of the two continents in victory over the osmans. Joined at the base of the crown and framed in pearls, they form the Latin letter “V” (Victoria – Latin for “Victory”), which also symbolizes the victory of Catherine the Great. At the bottom, the bonnet of the semi-spheres is enveloped in laurel branches – a symbol of power and glory, while the garland pattern between the semi-spheres is adorned with oak leaves and acorns, symbolizing the strength and stability of power. The crown is topped with a rare, brilliant-red precious stone – a fine spinel ruby.
The expansive garden-park composition recreates the shape of the crown fashioned in 1762 by palace jewellers Georg-Friedrich Ecart and Jeremie Pauzie.
Resting on a “velvet” flower pillow, adorned with gold piping and tassels, is a topiary flower grown. The assortment of flowers has been selected in accordance with the color palette of the crown itself, and employs the most popular kinds of flowers found throughout St. Petersburg’s green spaces (free-standing marigolds in lemon, orange and yellow hues; ample red and white petunias; and bloodleaf (Iresine) Linden).
Project authors:
N.V. Bazhenova
O.N. Radeev