2-996-039 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Ancient gold crown and cross found in Spain, 1860. 'Some time since a remarkable discovery of regal insignia was made on the property of a landowner at La Fuente de Guarrazar, near Toledo...The crown and pendent cross...are supposed to have been worn by the Queen of Reccesvinthus... The broad circlet is set with fifty-four rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and opals, and eight pendent sapphires fringe its lower margin. The pendent cross is embellished on both its sides with sapphires, Oriental onyxes, and pearls; and it has sapphires appended to the foot and limbs...Upon the discovery of these precious regalia the fortunate owner of the land where they were found carried them to Paris, and they were immediately purchased by the Minister of Public Instruction for the National Collections at the Hotel de Cluny. The price agreed on was 100,000 francs, but...the discovery of the treasure became known to the Spanish Government. Reclamation was forthwith made, on the ground that the crowns were National Regalia, inalienable heirlooms of the State, of which it were impossible under any circumstances that one nation should deprive another...it will, no doubt, be some time before the subtle problem is resolved'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.