Sicilian craftsmen, before 1222
Crown of Empress Constance of Aragon
gold, gold filigree, freshwater beads, pearls, gems and polychrome enamels (13,5×18,5 cm; pendilia 20,5×10 cm)
Palermo, Treasure of the Cathedral, from the Empress’ sarcophagus

During the two official openings of the tomb of Empress Constance of Aragon three centuries apart (in 1491 and 1781), very precious finds were discovered (cat. 3, 4, 21, 27).
The most extraordinary work is undoubtedly the so-called “Crown of Constance” which is exhibited in the Treasure of the Cathedral of Palermo.
Constance was the only one of Frederick’s wives to be crowned empress together with her husband, in Rome in 1220, by Pope Honorius III. On that occasion, the craftsmen of the Royal Palace of Palermo certainly crafted a special vestment for the ceremony, similar in materials and techniques to the one already existing one that was used for the coronations of the Kings of Sicily.
The funeral equipment of Empress Constance shows a clear affinity with the imperial insignia coming from Sicily and now displayed in the imperial treasure of Vienna.
The crown consists of a hemispherical cloth cap, embellished with decorations in foil and gold filigree, enamels, pearls and precious stones, with long side pendants, similar to the kamelaukion, the official headdress of the Byzantine sovereigns from the age of the Komnenos family (11th century).