Votive Crown of Recceswinth

Votive Crown of Recceswinth

Votive Crown of Recceswinth, 7th century, Visigothic, gold, sapphires, pearls, rock crystal, and garnets, Madrid, National Archeological Museum of Spain.

This incredible votive crown is one of twenty-six votive crowns and gold crosses that comprise the Treasure of Guarrazar, an archeological discovery made in Guadamur, Spain between 1858-61. These objects were offered by the 7th century kings of the Visigoths to the Roman Catholic church. The treasure has since been divided, with portions going to the Musée de Cluny in Paris, the National Archeological Museum of Spain in Madrid, and the National Museum of the Middle Ages in Paris. Several objects have, however, been stolen or otherwise gone missing. Scholarly hypothesis suggests that the treasure was hidden in order to safeguard such precious items during the Islamic conquest. This particular crown was commissioned by King Recceswinth (r. 649-72). It is noteworthy for the hanging filigree letters, which read (in Latin): RECCESVINTHVS REX OFFERET, or “King Recceswinth offered [this]”).

http://www.man.es/man/coleccion/catalogo-cronologico/edad-media/guarrazar.html
(in Spanish)

National Archeological Museum of Spain