Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (The Crown Jewels of the Noble Electorate of Syldavia)

The Kingdom of Syldavia is an elected monarchy where each King is elected, upon the death of the former monarch, from the 5 candidate heads of the Noble Houses of Syldavia. These former Royal Dynasties ruled their respective regions independently or semi-independently in the past but have now unified into the elected monarchy of Greater Syldavia. As such these regions sported their own Crown Jewels at times in history and some of these collections still exist today. They are however in principal technically redundant as the country only legally accepts the Crown of Syldavia as a national symbol. The archaic symbols may be applied in their respective regions as historic reference or familial symbols related to the Noble Houses but never in the context of a national symbol.

Please remember that these jewellery collections are wholly separate from the Crown Jewels of the Kingdom of Syldavia that serve as the Regalia and Symbols of the entire country as a whole. For more on that follow the link below.
http://daniel-s-world.blogspot.com/2012/04/tiaras-and-trinkets-on-tuesday_16.html

Let's take a look at the 5 Collections of remaining regional historic regalia. 

The Counts Von Bismarck

As a standard rule, a Comital Coronet would be appropriate for the Count Von Bismarck as a crown related to the region. It is known that during the Syldav Empire the Counts did own such a coronet but it seems to have been entirely lost to history after the war. No depiction exists of the original coronet but it would have adhered to  the basic rules of a Counts Coronet which is a basic circlet band that surrounds the head with between 8 and 16 short pinnacles surmounted by small spheres. 

There is however one piece of the "regalia" that has survived the Great War and still resides in the private ownership of the current Von Bismarck Family Head, Count Nikolas Von Bismarck who is also the current elected King Nikolas III of Syldavia. This parure of diamonds is known to date from the Imperial Germanic era based on its huge design. It is known as the Von Bismarck Nuptial Parure and may only be worn by the wife of the Count Von Bismarck. As such it serves as the signature diadem of the Countess Von Bismarck much like a Queen's Crown would serve a Queen. 

The Grand Dukes of Serbieski

The Crown Jewels of Serbieski was already a very ancient establishment by the time of its establishment as an independent monarchy. The Crown and Scepter was originally made for Krull Danielovich I in circa 1250. By the time of the Grand Duchy these ancient relics, considered to be a mere princely coronet and jewelled mace in configuration, were highly revered and no gaudy "new" crown was going to ever surpass them in importance. They were duly used at the investiture of the Grand Duke of the independent Serbieski. However by the time Serbieski became a Kingdom after the Great War, the Crown was lost and the King was only invested not crowned. 

The Tiara and Necklace in this photo forms part of the Crown Jewels of Serbieski. They were both made for the first " Queen" of Serbieski when the Grand Duchy was briefly elevated to the level of a Kingdom after the Great War. They remain today as part of the Grand Duke's private collection and is often worn by his wife to State Events. 

The Princes Von Thurn und Taxis

The Noble Princes of Thurn und Taxis have officially never ruled their own realm but have held sway over a region within the traditional Greater Syldavia for centuries. The family were created Princes Von Thurn und Taxis during the High Renaissance and as such has since owned the appropriate Princely Coronet which remains with the Family to this day.

The Von Thurn und Taxis Princely Coronet is made of Gold and Silver and set with Diamonds. 

The Grand Dukes of Reichenthal and Kings of the Reichenthalians

The House of Joshuwha, traditional "Kings" of the people of Reichenthal and current Grand Dukes were spared many of the losses of the Great War and 1996 Revolution. Thus they retain the most complete set of tradition Crown Regalia, inclusive of the arched Crown of the Kings of Reichenthal.

The Crown Jewels of Reichenthal is the most complete, most historic and most impressive when compared to the other in Syldavia and even compared to the Crown Jewels itself. The arched Crown of the King of Reichenthal rival any other in Europa and is a testament of the world famous Reichenthalian craftsmanship. 

The Consort Queen's Diadem compliments the Crown in design and craftsmanship. Both are of late 17th Century design and manufacture and include spectacular gemstones. 

The Princely Counts of Bo'hemia

Similarly to the Von Bismarcks, as a standard rule, a Comital Coronet would be appropriate for the House of Bo'hemia but this family has never been one for convention. The former independant Royal County of Bo’hemia held very loose borders due to the Royal Family who were by tradition of Gypsy origin. Culturally they held a semi-gypsy lifestyle and traditions. Theirs was the only “moving” court in Europa with the Count of Bohemia travelling his nation in a sort of Circus/tent style procession. The family never owned a Palace in the 210 years of their dynastic existence, preferring what came to be affectionately known as "The Counts Caravan". Thus " Crown Jewels" per se never formed part of this rustic culture. In typical Gypsy style members of the Royal Family would be signified with the red rose at social events and wreaths of roses were used as crowns. 

A wreath of red roses remains the symbol and indeed the "crown" for the Noble House of Bohemia to this day as can be seen in their official Family Crest dating from the Middle Ages. 

Madame Frumsetta or rather, Her Illustrious Highness Countess Nicole Doamna Frumsette, Princess of Bo’hemia is seen here in her first official photo as an Elector in the new Syldavia wearing the traditional Wreath of Roses. 

That concludes our report on the Crown Regalia of the Electorate of Syldavia.