Images of Medieval Art and Architecture
The Treasure of Saint Denis

Crown of St. Louis

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Images

Adapted from Félibien, Plate III, Item P

Watercolor of Gaignières Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale Est. Oa 9

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Texts

Description

Crown of St. Louis. It is made of gold and decorated with very many precious stones, among which is a ruby which is worth a great price. In this ruby is enclosed a spine from the Crown of Thorns of Our Lord.

Félibien, pages 541. Translated by Jane Vadnal.

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Subsequent History

• Crown taken to the Mint in 1793 and melted down in April, 1794.
• In 1987, H. Schubnel identified the emerald affixed over the central "ruby" as the same one now found in the Paris Museum of Natural History. However, this identification remains hypothetical-many scholars say there is not enough evidence to confirm it.

Félibien, page 541.

Gabriot-Chopin (1987), pp. 95-8.

Louvre, no. 48, pp. 239-41.

FÉLIBIEN PLATE III	ST. DENIS TREASURES	ST. DENIS MAIN PAGE	FRANCE	INTRODUCTION

Last updated by:JV Date: November 28, 2006