# Iron Crown of the Lombards [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [UNKNOWN GOLDSMITH, Italian]() - Date: 0601-0650 - Technique: Gold, gems and mother-of-pearl, ## Commentary The Iron Crown of the Lombards is both a reliquary and one of the oldest royal insignias of Christendom. It was made in the Early Middle Ages, consisting of a circlet of gold and jewels fitted around a central silver band, which tradition holds to be made of iron beaten out of a nail of the True Cross. The crown became one of the symbols of the Kingdom of the Lombards and later of the medieval Kingdom of Italy. It is kept in the Cathedral of Monza, outside Milan. The crown was donated to the church in Monza by Theodelinda, the Queen of Lombards in 628. ## 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]()