Egyptian Crowns
Ancient Egypt was noted for its elaborate and beautiful jewelry, and its artwork is replete with images of the fabulous crowns of the Pharaohs. It should be noted however that in most cases there is considerable question as to weather these crowns were actually worn or were merely symbolic representations of Kingly power. Despite all of the many artifacts surviving from ancient Egypt, including incredible examples of the jewelers art, not a single example of any of the crowns listed below survives today. This may be because the actual crowns were bequeathed to the royal successors and not consigned to the royal tombs, or it may be because these crowns existed only in the paintings and sculptures of Pharaohs. No one knows.
The White Crown / Hedjet
The White crown was the heraldic crown of Upper (Southern) Egypt. It is a tall, conical miter thought to have been made of white leather or cloth. The White crown is sometimes shown as a bundle of papyrus, which may have been its original form.
The Red crown is the heraldic crown of Lower (Northern) Egypt. It is a tall modius-type crown with a high crest at the back. A stem of some sort emerges from the center of the crown and curls above it. The Red crown is commonly thought to have been made of red leather.