The Crown of Wurtemburg

Württemberg was repeatedly the scene of fighting in the wars of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Duke Frederick II (1754-1816), through his alliance with Napoleon I, obtained the rank of Elector in 1803 and became King of Württemberg as Frederick I in 1806 after joining the Confederation of the Rhine. Between 1802 and 1810 the territories of Württemberg were more than doubled and reached their final frontiers after an alliance with France under Napoleon. Frederick retained both his lands at the Congress of Vienna in 1813 after having passed from the French to the allied camp.

During the reign of King Charles (1864-91) Württemberg sided against Prussia in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, joined Prussia's side in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 and became a member of the German Empire in 1871. Charles's successor, William II, abdicated in 1918 and Würtemberg joined the Weimar Republic in 1919.

After World War II North Württemberg was a part of the temporary state of Württemberg-Baden and South Württemberg was a part of the temporary state of Württemberg-Hohenzollern - until the two were joined as Baden-Württemberg in 1952.

Although no coronation ceremony was introduced into the Kingdom of Württemberg, a crown was made in 1822 by the court jeweller, August Kuhn.

The crown is made of gold and is decorated with diamonds, emeralds and pearls in the late Rococco style.