Insignia of the Holy Roman Empire

Background

The Insignia of the Holy Roman Empire is a set of various items of clothing collected and made over a period of many years that were used by various Emperors of the empire. The robes and other items were often used only on state occasions such as coronations.

It is unusual for items of such intrisic wealth to have survived in tact over such a long period of time. This gives some indication of how highly prized the items were.

Design

Each segment is decorated with a sequence of motifs com prising a flowering tree with a root out of which grow leafy branches, flanked on either side by a long-tailed bird perched on a branch with its wings outstretched.

Insignia of the Holy Roman Empire

• Coronation Mantle of Roger II of Sicily
• The Alb of King William II of Sicily
• Blue Tunicella or Dalmatic
• Gloves of Emperor Frederick II
• Stockings
• Shoes
• The Eagle Dalmatic

Links

• Exhibition of the Secular Treasury at Kunsthistorisches Museum

Sources for Further Information

• Schuette, Marie and Muller-Christensen, Sigrid, The Art of Embroidery, (London: Thames and Hudson, 1964)