Crown for the King of Ardra by Anonymous

Crown for the King of Ardra c. 1664

3d sculpting

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jewelry design

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3d modeling

The "Crown for the King of Ardra" (c. 1664), now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a testament to the craftsmanship and symbolic power of the Kingdom of Ardra. Crafted with a rich red velvet cap, the crown features a gold band adorned with intricate floral motifs and studded with gemstones. The cross atop the crown further emphasizes its religious significance. This crown, a rare example of a surviving West African royal insignia, offers insight into the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Comments

rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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Although impressive, this crown is actually made of inexpensive materials. It was meant to be a gift from the English to the king of Adra on the west coast of Africa. The English (as well as the Dutch) used such diplomatic incentives to foster the trade in enslaved Africans. The crown, however, never reached the king. Admiral Michiel de Ruyter seized it while on a mission to expel the English from the Dutch fortresses on the African coast.