Gold crown found in a young woman's tomb at Tilya Tepe from the 1st century AD.
It is wondrous, the flowers, the little dangling disks and cut out hearts. To make it even better, apparently it also folds up, as the treasures in this exhibition are from nomadic people who, amongst other things I am sure, had to consider how best to transport their crowns. What a moment it must have been when the wearer of this item would whip it out from her bag and put it upon her head; a better effect than the rolled up beanie that lives in my bag, i'm sure.
The exhibition is on at The British Museum it's called "Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World" and it has been extended until 17th July 2011.
(according to The British Museum website you can also get a mug and a tea towel featuring the crown...while stocks last!)
For a close up view, and a look around the back, please watch this little film:
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Photo credit: from the British Museum website image credit National Museum of Afghanistan c. Thiery Olliver/Musee Guimet
Video credit: You Tube
