Bridal crown (brudekrone)
A bridal crown is a traditional headdress worn by a bride at her wedding. Forms vary. The Norwegian term brudekrone covers open metal crowns and built-up headdresses incorporating fabric, beads and metal ornaments. Brurekrone is another Norwegian spelling.
Materials and construction
A bridal crown is not necessarily solid gold or silver. Textiles, beads, brass and gilded silver may be present. The National Museum's crown OK-02787 is dated 1751 and catalogued as cast, engraved, hinged and gilded silver, with Voss as place of production and an unidentified artist. These details concern that individual object.
Recording a crown
Examine construction, hinges, attachment points, pendants and later repairs. Photograph metal marks and record which components are textile or other materials. Separate regional use from manufacturing attribution. A crown worn in a particular district need not have been made there. A gold-coloured surface alone establishes neither gold content nor fineness.
