Cross on a metal crown

Cross design on a metal crown.

Finds from the graves of Bela III. and his wife Anna of Antioch.

Before 1196, Szekesfehervar.

Only one of the royal graves of Szekesfehervar unearthed in 1848 could be identified. This burial contained the earthly remains of Bela III. (1172-1196) and his queen, Anna of Antioch. The royal insignia made for the funeral (a silver crown, a sceptre, and a sword) and a processional cross were found on the skeleton of the king in a grave consisting of red marble stone slabs. The silver bracelet and the pair of spurs must have replaced the objects that he had worn in his life. The gold ring with an almandine inlay bearing an Arabic inscription and an interior compartment, along with the cloisonne enameled pectoral (enkolpion) of Byzantine or Sicilian origin, must have been his personal jewellery. The queen was also buried with a symbolic funeral crown and her gold ring.

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