Empires, kingdoms, royalty, unusual jewelry, etc.

“Newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, and Metropolitan Bishop of Bichvinta (Pitius) and Tskhum-Abkhazia Shio III wearing the mitra.”

He was elected May 11, 2026.

The Mitra or ecclesiastical crown is made of gilt silver, circa 18th century and has been used ever since during the election and enthronement of a new Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia.

The baptism of King Clovis of France, ivory panel.

“here is a charming legend about the baptism of Clovis, which tells us that, in the haste to accommodate the king and the thousands seeking baptism, St. Remigius had forgotten to bring the holy chrism needed for the baptism rite. But at the moment when the holy chrism was required, a dove flew into the church, carrying a glass vial of oil in its talons. This sacred vessel and its contents were known as the Sainte Ampoule (“Holy Vial”); this sacred relic was used in the coronation of every French monarch from at least 1131 (it’s first attestation) to the coronation of the ill-fated Louis XVI in 1775.”

Blessed Emperor Carl of Austria, last emperor of Austria-Hungary.