Crown Jewels of Württemberg
Encyclopedia
The Crown Jewels of Württemberg (German: Kronjuwelen des Königreichs Württemberg) are a historical jewel collection belonging to the Kings and Queens of Württemberg.
The original crown jewels were made in 1806 for Frederick I of Württemberg
to celebrate Württemberg achieving kingdom status. The Crown of Württemberg consists of Gold
, Diamonds, Pearls and Emerald
s. Many of the diamonds were donated by the jewel collector Duke Carl Alexander. The crown was never traditionally worn at celebrations. Rather, it was carried during ceremonies such as weddings, New Year's Day celebrations and funerals. The appearance of the crown was last modified during 1749–1827 by the court jeweller August Heinrich Kuhn for King William I of Württemberg
. In 1945 the crown was confiscated by French troops from a bank vault in Biberach an der Riß
. The crown was later returned to Württemberg-Hohenzollern Parliament.
The crown jewels also include the Diamond Diadem created for Queen Pauline of Württemberg
in 1820. Queen Pauline's husband King William I even had several large diamonds transferred from the Crown of Württemberg to the Diamond Diadem. The collection also includes a golden dinner set given to the Württemberg king in 1816 by Grand Duchess (and later Queen) Catherine Pavlovna of Russia
.
After monarchy ended in Württemberg the royal family and the State of Württemberg split the crown jewels. Today some of the collection including the Crown and Diadem can be viewed at the State Museum of Württemberg (Landesmuseum Württemberg).
The original crown jewels were made in 1806 for Frederick I of Württemberg
Frederick I of Württemberg
Frederick I William Charles of Württemberg was the first King of Württemberg. He was known for his size: at and about , he was in contrast to Napoleon, who recognized him as King of Württemberg.-Biography:...
to celebrate Württemberg achieving kingdom status. The Crown of Württemberg consists of Gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
, Diamonds, Pearls and Emerald
Emerald
Emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. Beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the 10 point Mohs scale of mineral hardness...
s. Many of the diamonds were donated by the jewel collector Duke Carl Alexander. The crown was never traditionally worn at celebrations. Rather, it was carried during ceremonies such as weddings, New Year's Day celebrations and funerals. The appearance of the crown was last modified during 1749–1827 by the court jeweller August Heinrich Kuhn for King William I of Württemberg
William I of Württemberg
William I was the second King of Württemberg from October 30, 1816 until his death.He was born in Lüben, the son of King Frederick I of Württemberg and his wife Duchess Augusta of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel .-First marriage:...
. In 1945 the crown was confiscated by French troops from a bank vault in Biberach an der Riß
Biberach an der Riß
Biberach is a town in the south of Germany. It is the capital of Biberach district, in the Upper Swabia region of the German state of Baden-Württemberg...
. The crown was later returned to Württemberg-Hohenzollern Parliament.
The crown jewels also include the Diamond Diadem created for Queen Pauline of Württemberg
Pauline Therese of Württemberg
Duchess Pauline Therese Luise of Württemberg was a daughter of Louis of Württemberg and Princess Henriette of Nassau-Weilburg...
in 1820. Queen Pauline's husband King William I even had several large diamonds transferred from the Crown of Württemberg to the Diamond Diadem. The collection also includes a golden dinner set given to the Württemberg king in 1816 by Grand Duchess (and later Queen) Catherine Pavlovna of Russia
Catherine Pavlovna of Russia
Grand Duchess Catherine Pavlovna of Russia was the fourth daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia and Princess Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg. She became the Queen of Württemberg upon her marriage to her first cousin Crown Prince William who eventually became King William I of Württemberg in...
.
After monarchy ended in Württemberg the royal family and the State of Württemberg split the crown jewels. Today some of the collection including the Crown and Diadem can be viewed at the State Museum of Württemberg (Landesmuseum Württemberg).