# Votive Crown of Theodelinda [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [UNKNOWN GOLDSMITH, Italian]() - Date: 0551-0600 - Technique: Gold, gems and mother-of-pearl, ## Commentary Votive Crown of Theodelinda c. 600 Gold, gems and mother-of-pearl, Museo e Tesoro del Duomo, Monza Theodelinda \(or Theodolinda\) was the queen of the Lombards, \(c. 570-628 AD\). She was married first in 588 to Authari, king of the Lombards who died in 590. Theodelinda was allowed to pick Agilulf as her next husband and Authari's successor in 591. She thereafter exerted much influence in restoring Nicene Christianity to a position of primacy in Italy against its rival, Arian Christianity. After the conversion of Agilulf to the Catholic faith, she started building churches in Lombardy and Tuscany, among them the cathedral of Monza and the first Baptistery of Florence. They were all dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. In addition to the votive crown, she is also related to the famous Iron Crown of Lombardy, also in the Cathedral Treasury in Monza. ## Related artworks - [Antique Purple Amethyst Vessel with Gold Stem and Heavy Lid]() - [Antique Sardonyx Vase with Lid and Mount in Gilt Silver]() - [Bernardo Buontalenti Presenting a Wood Model]() - [Book cover]() - [Box with painted ivory]() - [Chalice with Medici Arms]() - [Cross of Desiderius \(back\)]() - [Cross of Desiderius \(front\)]() - [Cross of Desiderius \(front\)]() - [Cross of Desiderius]() - [Cup]() - [Cup]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()