From royal courts to pageant stages, crowns have long symbolized power, beauty, and cultural identity. Heads of State, Style, and Story: Crowns Across Cultures brings together a diverse array of headpieces from around the globe — including sacred Yoruba veils, ornate Chinese regalia, Indonesian ceremonial crowns, and rhinestone tiaras from pageantry. Through this collection, we explore how crowns both reflect and shape social roles, spiritual beliefs, and artistic traditions. Each piece tells a unique story of celebration, authority, or transformation, inviting viewers to consider the enduring significance of what it means to be crowned.
Credits
Curated by Group 3: Vraj Dirajlal, Fabio Lo, Sangmyung Lee, Aidan Reed With materials from Vanderbilt University Library and Vanderbilt University Special Collections – Ron Sanford Papers