The Płock Diadem (Polish: Diadem płocki) is a reliquary crown held in the city of Płock, in central Poland. It was created in the beginning of the 13th century^[1] probably in Hungary and was brought to Poland in the Middle Ages. This filigree diadem is wrought of extremely pure gold and set with sapphires, rubies, almandines and pearls.^[2][3]

History

The diadem was brought to Poland by one of the Hungarian princesses. Later assigned to Konrad I of Masovia, Duke of Masovia it served as the personal crown of the Dukes of Masovia and was kept in the Płock Cathedral.^[1]

In 1601 by order of King Sigismund III Vasa the diadem was placed by a goldsmith Stanisław Zemelka on reliquary of St. Sigismund (patron saint of the King, also kept in the Masovian Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral in Płock). This reliquary takes the form of a bust and it was established by King Casimir III the Great in the 14th century to comprise relics of that saint.^[4] The reliquary was made in Kraków between 1351–1356 and it depicts the King.^[1]

The reliquary was looted by the Germans during World War II, and later reclaimed.^[3]

See also

• Płock Cathedral
• Polish Crown Jewels
• Royal Casket
• Szczerbiec

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Płock Diadem.

• Herma of St. Sigismund
• Płock Diadem