Name/Title
Bridal CrownEntry/Object ID
2012.63.10Description
Silver bridal crown with a fastening pin. While the crown is made of silver, the actual color of the metal is a cross between silver and gold. The crown is decorated with carvings of hearts, plants in tulip-shaped vases, tall plants that are topped with blue circles made of stone in rectangular vases, Christian crosses, each of which has a white and ariel-colored circle made of stone in the middle, vertical rectangles with triangles at the respective upper ends and upside-down triangles at the respective lower ends with each vertical rectangle having a musical bass clef on the left side, a mirror image bass clef on the right side, and a blue circle made of stone in the center, large 'U' shapes reaching from the middle section to the upper section, structures shaped like moon crescents in the upper section, and two rings that are decorated with tiny squares and radiate around the whole crown in the lower section.Context
Traditionally, a crown would be worn by a Swedish bride during her wedding ceremony as a reminder of her status as royalty on her wedding day. The tradition goes back to the Middle Ages with its roots in Catholic customs. A bride wearing the crown did so in the image of the Virgin Mary, and the crown itself became an image of virginity. Brides wearing the crowns were expected to be virgins on their wedding day. Beautiful and ornate bridal crowns were often available on loan from the local parish, but women would also make them themselves using straw, fabric or other materials. There are many legends and traditions surrounding the Swedish bridal crown or "Brudkrona."Acquisition
Accession
2012.63Source or Donor
Estate of Ingrid Bergstrom-Nels Nelson, ExecutorAcquisition Method
GiftLexicon
LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Weddings, SilverDimensions
Height
2-3/4 inWidth
4 inDepth
4 inReproductions
Notes
Reproduction of the Museum's artifacts for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires written permission.
