page_title: French Crown Jewels
section_title: Regalia in the National Library of France
hierarchical_section_title: French Crown Jewels / Regalia in the National Library of France
caption_attribution_description: Canthare, dit Coupe des Ptolémées Canthare (2/2), sardonyx, Alexandrie (?), Ie siècle avant ou après J.-C. (?). Scènes de préparatifs d'une cérémonie dionysiaque. Il a appartenu au Trésor de Saint-Denis. Acquis en 1791.
context_page_description: The French Crown Jewels comprise the crowns, orb, sceptres, diadems and jewels that were symbols of Royal power between 752 and 1825. These were worn by many Kings and Queens of France. The set was finally broken up, with most of it sold off in 1885 by the Third French Republic. The surviving French Crown Jewels, principally a set of historic crowns, diadems and parures, are mainly on display in the Galerie d'Apollon of the Louvre, France's premier museum and former royal palace, together with the Regent Diamond, the Sancy Diamond and the 105-carat Côte-de-Bretagne red spinel, carved into the form of a dragon. In addition, some gemstones and jewels are on display in the Treasury vault of the Mineralogy gallery in the National Museum of Natural History.
context_section_description: The Throne of Dagobert I coming from Saint Denis can now be seen on the Richelieu site of the National Library of France. The Cup of the Ptolemies was used by the queens to take ablution after holy communion. This masterpieces among hardstone carvings or engraved gems of Antiquity,  was carved with Dionysiac vignettes and emblems, probably in Alexandria during the 1st century BC or the 1st century AD. It was stolen in 1804, and recovered without its Carolingian gem-studded gold mountings. Its serpentine paten is at the Louvre.
caption: Cup of the Ptolemies, 1st century BC or AD Cabinet des Medailles.
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