KIANI CROWN
A
piece of royal
regalia like no
other, the Kiani
crown was the
coronation crown in the
Persian crown jewels and
was used throughout the
Qajar dynasty (1796–1925). It
was a powerful symbol of royal
authority, and is unique in its
lavish decoration and for the
sheer number of pearls used in its design.
The crown is 32cm (12½in) high without
its detachable aigrette (plume), and 19.5cm
(7½in) wide. The base of the crown is made
from red velvet and is stitched with 1,800
small pearls of 7–9mm (about ¼in) in
diameter. Around 300 emeralds decorate
the crown, mainly on the aigrette, thelargest of which is 80 carats;
there are also approximately
1,800 rubies and spinels, the
largest weighing 120 carats.
Numerous diamonds stud
the crown, with a 23-carat
diamond as the centrepiece.
The Kiani Crown was created
by Agha Mohammad Khan,
founder of the Qajar dynasty, in
1796 and modified by Fath-Ali
Shah (who reigned from 1797 to 1834), the
second of the Qajar kings. Fath-Ali Shah
was renowned for his patronage of Persian
art, as well as for having 1,000 wives and
fathering over 100 children. Five more kings
wore the crown at their coronation.
The crown was present, although
unworn, at the 1926 coronation of
Reza Shah, who seized power in a coup.
This brought an end to the Qajar dynasty
and the last of the line, Ahmed Shah, fled
to Europe. Reza ordered the creation of a
new crown, and the Kiani crown became
a museum piece.Kiani
Crown
△ Aga Muhammad Khan Qajar, who created the Kiani Crown in 1796 (shown here around 1820)Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar
(1872–1925) with the crownThe Kiani Crown, Persia’s symbol of royal
and religious power for around 130 years,
displayed at the National Treasury, TehranKey dates
1796–1926
179018001850190020001950Reza Shah with the
new crownIt was entirely
composed... as to form
a mixture of the most
beautiful colours
R Ker Porter
Travel writer, on the crown120-carat spinel23-carat diamond1796 Agha Mohammad
Khan Qajar (r.1789–97)
commissions the
Kiani Crown
c1797 The crown is
modified by Fath-Ali Shah
(r.1772–1834) and possibly
worn at his coronation1834 The Kiani Crown
begins its service as
the coronation crown
of five subsequent
Qajar dynasty kings1926 The Kiani Crown is
present, but not worn, at the
coronation of Reza Shah,
ending the Qajar dynasty.
It is subsequently placed
in the National Treasury
of Iran in Tehran, where
it is still on display1797 Agha Mohammad
Khan Qajar is assassinated183
182-183_STO_Kiani_Crown_Final.indd 183 13/06/2016 10:40