Investigation of the Holy Crown as a Metal Structure

Abstract

The article analyses the crown of Hungarian kings, a crown of sacral importance, as an engineered metal structure resulting from a technological process. Its composition revolves around two primary components: the cross-strap and the hoop. The cross-strap consists of the actual cross-strap stems and the cross. As for the hoop crown, it comprises the hoop, the diadem (a pediment), and the pendants. The assembly sequence of these parts and sub-parts are described, how the hoop and the cross-strap were aligned and how the sub-parts—the diadem, pendants, and various decorative elements—were assembled and aligned with the primary components. A 3D fully parametric CAD model was used for the analysis. Results show that the eightfold division of the hoop is accurate and that the cross-straps are made with a small degree of inaccuracy, suggesting that they were developed independently. Alignment of the hoop was achieved by asymmetrical cutting, to align with the centerline of the back cross strap stem. The diadem, pendants, and other decorative elements, although fixed to the hoop in a coherent manner, are aligned with the cross-strap. Consequently, the cross-strap emerges as the defining element of the unified Holy Crown, around which all other components are harmoniously aligned.