Faberge is one of the most iconic brands ever to emerge from Russia, and it is best known for its legendary egg‑shaped marvels. Crafted in utter secrecy, each Faberge egg could take up to a year to perfect, ensuring every gem, precious metal and hidden compartment was positioned with surgical precision. No other goldsmith could rival the opulence and meticulous detail on display. Even after more than a century, Faberge eggs remain the gold standard for extravagance and wealth in the jewelry world. 10 glittering facts about these jeweled wonders illustrate why they continue to captivate collectors and historians alike.

10 Glittering Facts About Faberge Eggs

10. A Royal Easter Tradition

When Easter held supreme importance for the Russian Orthodox Church, people would bring hand‑painted eggs to be blessed and then distribute them among loved ones. The aristocracy added a lavish twist by swapping bejeweled gifts on the holiday, setting the stage for the birth of the Faberge egg. In 1885, Tsar Alexander III decided to surprise his wife, Empress Marie Fedorovna, with a modest‑looking but exquisitely crafted egg – the Hen Egg – as an Easter present. Her delighted reaction prompted the tsar to continue gifting a new egg each year.

His son, Tsar Nicholas II, perpetuated the custom, presenting both his mother and his own wife with a glittering egg every Easter. This tradition became the most sumptuous celebration of its kind, until it abruptly ended after the tragic murder of Nicholas II and his family during the Russian Revolution, cutting short a 32‑year reign of egg‑splendor.

9. The Surprises Inside

Peter Carl Faberge enjoyed total artistic freedom, but he was bound by a single rule: every egg had to conceal a surprise. He never failed his imperial patrons. The Hen Egg, for instance, cracked open to reveal a golden yolk, which in turn housed a tiny gold hen. Inside that hen lay a miniature diamond replica of the royal crown and a ruby‑encrusted egg pendant. Other surprises ranged from a mechanical swan to a golden miniature palace, an array of eleven tiny portrait easels, and even a working replica of the Coronation carriage that demanded fifteen months of painstaking work.

Each surprise reflected a facet of the royal family’s life. The Red Cross Egg, created in 1915, honored Empress Alexandra Fedorovna’s charitable work with the Red Cross during World War I, illustrating Faberge’s knack for weaving personal tributes into his dazzling creations.

8. They Were Once Despised

While the Romanovs adored the jeweled eggs, the Bolsheviks loathed them as symbols of aristocratic excess during a period of famine and hardship. Their disdain turned violent: the revolutionary regime seized Faberge, forcing the master craftsman’s son, Agathon, into captivity in the Kremlin where he was compelled to inventory the seized treasures. Agathon eventually escaped to Finland, while Faberge’s wife and another son fled to Switzerland, where the family reunited.

By 1917 the Faberge business in Russia had been nationalized and shut down, but the family had already established branches abroad—most notably in England—shielding their legacy from Bolshevik control.

7. Peter Faberge Wasn’t Russian

Although Peter Carl Faberge was born on Russian soil, his lineage traced back to French Huguenots and Danish artists. His paternal ancestors fled France for religious freedom, settling in Russia where his father, the first generation born there, married a Danish painter’s daughter. Peter entered his father’s workshop as a youngster, quickly demonstrating prodigious talent.

He refined his skills under masters across Europe—studying in France, Germany, England, and Italy—before returning to St. Petersburg in 1872 to join the family firm. His brilliance earned him the title of court jeweler to the Russian Imperial family, and his reputation spread to other monarchs in Norway, Sweden, England, Greece, Bulgaria and Siam. After the 1917 Revolution, Faberge never set foot in Russia again, passing away at 74 while visiting a son in Lausanne.

6. Stalin Inadvertently Saved Them

Following the Romanovs’ downfall, Bolshevik troops looted palaces, confiscating many Faberge eggs while others vanished as loot. The remaining treasures were stored in the Kremlin’s vaults, largely forgotten until 1927 when Joseph Stalin combed through the vaults seeking assets to fund his regime. Though his motive was profit, Stalin’s sales of fourteen eggs to foreign markets unintentionally spared them from being melted down for raw metal.

One of the most remarkable survivors of this unlikely rescue is the Peacock Egg—a crystal and gold masterpiece featuring an enameled peacock that unfurls its tail and even walks when released from its golden perch.

5. The Ultimate Easter Egg Hunt

In total, fifty Faberge eggs were crafted for the Russian Imperial family, but the turbulence of revolution, Stalin’s opportunism, and private collectors have left seven of them missing. The most tantalizing of the lost pieces is the 1889 Necessaire Egg, encrusted with emeralds, diamonds and rubies, last recorded in a London shop in 1949 where it sold for £1,250 to an anonymous buyer who vanished with the treasure.

Experts suspect the missing eggs may be hidden in the United States, Russia or England, though some may have been destroyed. The mystery fuels a modern treasure hunt, especially as Faberge eggs can command prices up to $30 million on the open market.

4. One Was Bought As Scrap

The lost Third Imperial Easter Egg resurfaced in a most unexpected way. Originally forged from gold and studded with precious stones, the egg was sold to an American collector for $14,000. The anonymous scrap dealer, assuming he could profit by melting it down, estimated a $500 gain, but his plan stalled when he could find no buyers. A quick internet search revealed the object’s true identity.

Faberge authority Kieran McCarthy examined the piece and confirmed it was the long‑missing Third Imperial Egg, complete with its original surprise—a tiny bejeweled Vacheron Constantin watch. The dealer’s modest $500 expectation turned into a $33 million windfall, and the egg now resides in a private collection.

3. Queen Elizabeth II Owns Three

The British Royal Family boasts the most significant Faberge collection in the world, housing three historic eggs. Queen Elizabeth II’s grandmother, Queen Mary, acquired the Colonnade Egg Clock, the Basket of Flowers Egg, and the Mosaic Egg. The Basket of Flowers Egg, in particular, dazzles with lifelike blossoms that appear freshly picked.

This collection is noteworthy because many of the over‑100 masterpieces were either bought directly from Faberge or gifted by families who procured them straight from the master jeweler. The British holdings also include delicate hard‑stone flowers, ornate boxes, miniature portraits, and the largest assembly of Faberge animal and floral studies.

Even with this impressive trove, the British cache represents only a fraction of Faberge’s output; during his lifetime, Peter Carl Faberge created roughly 200,000 distinct pieces of jewelry and decorative art.

2. The Kelch Family

Alongside the Romanovs, Faberge also served the affluent Kelch family. Industrial magnate Alex Kelch commissioned seven eggs for his wife, each rivaling the Imperial pieces in brilliance and ingenuity. Crafted by Faberge’s chief workmaster Michael Perchin, the Kelch eggs include a massive 13.4 cm (5.3 in) specimen. Except for the Apple Blossom Egg and the Pine Cone Egg, the designs often echoed the royal models.

When the couple divorced, Mrs. Kelch took her Faberge set to Paris. Six of the eggs eventually crossed the Atlantic, and because of their flawless craftsmanship, half were mistakenly identified as Imperial eggs. It wasn’t until 1979 that all seven were correctly attributed to the Kelch collection.

1. They’re Back

After the Revolution, the Faberge name changed hands several times, even being attached to mundane products like toilet cleaner, shampoo and cologne. The final owner, Pallinghurst Resources, decided in 2007 to restore the brand to its glorious origins, reviving the creation of truly spectacular pieces.

Two years later, with the assistance of Peter Faberge’s granddaughters Sarah and Tatiana, the world was treated to a dazzling new line of Faberge jewelry—earrings, bracelets and rings fit for royalty. The centerpiece of this renaissance was a collection of twelve bijou egg pendants, each drawing design inspiration from the historic Imperial eggs. While genuine Imperial eggs will never be reproduced, these pendants are widely available today, priced between $8,000 and $600,000, allowing modern collectors to own a slice of Faberge’s legendary sparkle.

When you need to broadcast that you’re the most important person around, nothing does the job better than a dazzling headpiece. The 10 glittering important crowns listed here have served exactly that purpose, turning heads—literally and figuratively—throughout the ages.

10 glittering important Crowns Overview

10 Macedonian Crowns

For generations the kingdom of Macedon was scorned by the classic Greek city‑states. Its people spoke a peculiar dialect, clung to a monarchical system, and were dismissed as barbarians. Philip II, however, had grander ambitions: he aimed to dominate the very Greeks who sneered at him. By wielding military brilliance and a disciplined army, he secured his place as the acknowledged leader of the Greek world.

In 336 BC the king met a violent end at the hands of one of his own bodyguards. His remains were interred at Vergina among the other Macedonian monarchs. When archaeologists opened his tomb in the 1970s they uncovered a solid gold casket weighing 24.2 pounds (11 kg). Nestled beside it lay a diadem fashioned as an oak‑leaf wreath.

Ancient Greece awarded victors with wreaths of olive, laurel, or oak to mark athletic triumphs, literary prowess, and military success. Yet a fleeting plant could not adequately symbolize the permanence Philip desired. His golden crown, tipping the scales at 1.5 pounds (700 g), featured leaves that fluttered with every movement, catching the sun and flashing like tiny mirrors.

9 The Crown of Thorns

The Gospel of Matthew recounts how, on the way to his crucifixion, Jesus was mocked by soldiers who placed a scarlet robe on him, twisted together a crown of thorns, and set it upon his head while shouting, “Hail, king of the Jews!” The thorns were meant to ridicule, not honor.

Instead, the Crown of Thorns evolved into a potent symbol of Christ’s suffering and a treasured relic for believers. Individual thorns were claimed by various churches, each believing they possessed extraordinary spiritual power. French monarchs, never satisfied with a single fragment, coveted the entire crown.

Historically, the crown passed through imperial hands. In 1238 it was pawned for 13,000 gold pieces to aid the beleaguered Byzantine capital. When Emperor Baldwin II was deposed, he roamed Europe seeking funds and eventually sold the relic to King Louis IX of France. The French placed it within a polished crystal setting, where it became one of the most prized possessions of the French monarchy.

8 The Crowns of Silla

The Kingdom of Silla flourished on the Korean peninsula from the 1st century BC until the 10th century AD. Although its history was long known, it wasn’t until the 1920s that archaeologists began to uncover the royal regalia buried in the famed Gold Crown Tomb.

The most spectacular find dates to the 6th century AD: a crown standing roughly 1.7 feet (0.5 m) tall, with three sweeping gold branches rising from a central band and a pair of rear antlers. Its surface is alive with motifs—fish scales, stylized hearts, birds, and dragons—while jade droplets and golden leaves dangle from its edges.

Since that initial discovery, numerous similar crowns have emerged, each echoing the original’s distinctive shape and lavish ornamentation. Scholars note that their designs differ markedly from other Korean artifacts, suggesting influences from Iranian and Scythian cultures.

7 Crown of Princess Blanche

Crowns weren’t the exclusive domain of kings; royal family members often received smaller yet still impressive pieces to signify their elite status. The oldest English‑owned crown belongs to Princess Blanche, daughter of Henry IV, and today it resides in a treasury in Munich.

When Richard II was deposed by Henry IV, all of the former king’s jewels transferred to the new ruler. Seeking to legitimize his claim, Henry arranged a marriage between his daughter Blanche and Louis, son of the German king. The crown traveled with Blanche as part of her dowry, symbolizing the alliance.

The piece itself offers a vivid glimpse into medieval English regal aesthetics: a towering structure adorned with gold fleur‑de‑lis, studded with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, diamonds, and pearls. Vivid enamel work adds a riot of colour, underscoring the crown’s opulent character.

6 Papal Tiaras

Beyond spiritual duties, popes for centuries wielded considerable political power across Italy. To convey both religious authority and temporal dominance, they adopted an elaborate form of headgear that left a lasting visual impression.

Early papal tiaras began as simple white cloth caps in the 8th century. Over time, a circlet of precious metal was added, and by the late 13th century Pope Boniface VIII introduced a second crown atop the first, asserting supremacy over earthly monarchs. A third crown soon followed, completing the iconic triple‑crown silhouette.

Many tiaras glittered with countless gems; a notable 1846 example boasted over 10,000 diamonds plus a thousand emeralds, sapphires, and rubies. Yet not all were lavish—when Napoleon’s forces drove the pope from Rome in 1798, a papier‑mâché tiara embellished with donated gems was crafted. Napoleon later offered a new tiara in 1804, deliberately making it too small and heavy to wear comfortably. In 1964 Pope Paul VI placed his tiara on the altar, renouncing worldly pomp.

5 Imperial Crown of Russia & Monomakh’s Cap

European peers once regarded Russia as a backward backwater, but by the 18th century the nation’s royal regalia began to outshine many Western counterparts. In 1762 Empress Catherine the Great commissioned a new imperial crown to embody absolute authority and unrivaled splendor.

Her jewelers enjoyed an unrestricted supply of native gems, producing a masterpiece set with 4,936 diamonds totaling 2,858 carats, crowned by a massive red spinel. Large pearls drape the crown’s wing‑like extensions, creating a dazzling spectacle of wealth.

Russia’s coronation tradition also featured the Monomakh’s Cap, an earlier symbol of autocracy. This golden cap is studded with rubies and emeralds and encircled by a fur lining, providing both regal flair and practical warmth during the frigid Russian winters.

4 Imperial State Crown

During Charles III’s recent coronation, St. Edward’s Crown was placed on his head for the anointing moment—an honor reserved for that singular occasion. He then swapped to the more familiar Imperial State Crown, the piece most associated with British monarchs at state functions.

The Imperial State Crown showcases the former empire’s might. It incorporates ancient gems from the royal collection alongside newer stones, including a sapphire claimed to have belonged to Edward the Confessor and another associated with the Stuart line. A striking red spinel, dubbed the Black Prince’s Ruby, features a tiny drilled hole for a decorative feather.

In 1909 the crown was modified to accommodate the 317‑carat Cullinan II diamond, a fragment of the world’s largest gem‑quality diamond ever found. Queen Elizabeth II affectionately referred to the smaller Cullinan stones as “granny’s chips,” noting their inheritance from her grandmother, Queen Mary.

3 Holy Crown of Hungary

The Holy Crown of Hungary—also known as the Crown of St. Stephen—served as the nation’s emblem for centuries. Legend holds that before his death in 1038, King Stephen raised the crown aloft, dedicating it to the Virgin Mary, thereby sanctifying the regalia as both a sacred relic and a symbol of royal power.

Crafted from gold and embellished with enamel scenes of Christ, angels, saints, and monarchs, the crown is topped by a cross that appears to sprout from the torso of a Christ figure. An odd‑angled cross results from a 17th‑century mishap when the chest housing the crown was shut too quickly, damaging the piece—a flaw that was never repaired.

At the close of World II, the crown was handed to American forces in Austria, stored in a black leather satchel to keep it from Soviet hands. It spent years in Fort Knox before President Carter arranged its return to Hungary in 1978, a gesture intended to inspire the Hungarian people toward continued freedom.

2 Iron Crown of Lombardy

Medieval theology taught that kings derived their earthly authority from divine will, and many crowns incorporated holy relics to reinforce that claim. The Iron Crown of Lombardy stands as one of Europe’s oldest surviving royal insignia, and its origins are steeped in legend.

According to tradition, the crown was fashioned for Emperor Constantine by his mother, St. Helena, who famously retrieved the True Cross from the Holy Land. Supposedly, she fashioned one of the crucifixion nails into a protective helmet for her son, and the Iron Crown was said to contain that very nail.

Modern analysis, however, suggests the crown was created in the 8th century, and the inner band once thought to be iron is actually silver. This dark metal band supports six gold panels, but the mythic association with a holy nail persists despite the scientific findings.

1 Crown of the Holy Roman Empire

Although the Western Roman Empire fell in the 5th century, its spirit was revived when Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne on Christmas 800, bestowing upon him the title Emperor of the Romans. Successors to Charlemagne continued to claim this mantle, giving rise to the Holy Roman Empire, a confederation that endured until 1806.

The Imperial Crown crafted for Otto I in 962 features an octagonal shape reminiscent of Byzantine crowns, rather than the round form familiar today. It comprises eight gold plates—four bearing religious iconography and four larger ones set with gems. Because it predates modern gem‑cutting, the stones were polished into rounded domes rather than faceted.

Legend tells of a remarkable jewel called the Waise, or Orphan, that once adorned the crown’s front. A 13th‑century writer described it as a wine‑coloured stone that seemed to contain a flash of snow within its hue, shining so brightly it was said to illuminate the night. The gem has since vanished, and its ultimate fate remains a mystery.

Gold is a magical element. It is one of the few metals that can be found in nature without the need to purify it. This means humans have been spotting this glittering material for millennia just by looking down. It is so soft and malleable that it can be beaten into thin sheets, and gold never tarnishes. Something made of gold will still look as stunning 1,000 years after it was originally made. No wonder many ancient cultures had myths about gold belonging to the divine.

Because gold is so good at withstanding the ravages of time, many of the most stunning ancient artifacts are made from it. Here are ten golden objects that show the glories of the ancient world.

Related: Top 10 Ridiculously Expensive Golden Objects

10 Priam’s Treasure

Heinrich Schliemann is one of the most extraordinary figures in archaeology. He is also one of the most controversial. Most people in the 19th century thought that The Iliad, which described the war between the Greeks and the Trojans, was all pure myth. Schliemann thought it was based on actual events—and set out to find the proof.

Using his self-made fortune, Schliemann funded a dig in modern Turkey at a site called Hissarlik. Almost immediately, he found the ruins of a great city. Schliemann had found ancient Troy. Well, at least he was convinced. What he actually found were the remains of nine cities, each built atop the ruins of the preceding city. One of them had to be the Troy mentioned in the famed work by Homer, so Schliemann dug straight down, hunting for treasure to prove his theory correct and destroying much valuable archaeology on the way.

But Schliemann did strike gold. He found a cache of golden and silver objects, which he named the Treasure of Priam, after the king of Troy in TThe Iliad. Among the most spectacular discoveries were diadems made of hundreds of pieces of hammered gold. These were smuggled out of Turkey (some say in Mrs. Schliemann’s underwear) and taken to Germany. The treasure did not get to rest in peace for long. After the Second World War, it was looted by the Soviets and taken to Russia, where it remains to this day.^[1]

9 Orphic Gold Tablets

Understanding ancient religious practices around burial can be incredibly difficult. Often all archaeologists have to work with are a few scraps of bone and maybe some grave goods left with the body. In the Classical world, however, sometimes writing was left with the corpse that helps make things explicit.

Sometimes these little texts, called Totenpass (German for “Passport for the Dead”), are written on sheets of gold. The writings they contain are meant to help guide the dead person into the afterlife of their choice. These are found in several religions and cults of the ancient world but are all designed to ensure an eternal and happy life.

One of these strange texts has been described as the world’s oldest book. Made from six sheets of decorated gold that were joined together, it was discovered in Bulgaria and dates from around 500 BC. The writing in the book is in Etruscan, a culture that lived in Italy before the rise of the Romans.^[2]

8 Muisca Raft

Many European explorers and conquerors were drawn to South America because they dreamed of fabulous golden treasures waiting to be discovered. Most were disappointed. But there were glorious artworks to be found, and gold-working by Pre-Columbian civilizations was among the most sophisticated in the world. Unfortunately, much was lost to the conquistadors and later grave robbers.

However, in the Gold Museum in Bogota, one small object tells an interesting tale. The Muisca Raft, also known as the El Dorado raft, shows several figures riding on a raft. The intricately sculpted piece is thought to model the rites that gave rise to the legend of El Dorado—the Golden One.

The chief of the Muisca people was initiated into his position by being coated in gold dust. He was then rowed into the middle of a lake, where he washed the gold from his body. Further offerings were made of gold and emeralds. The model of this ceremony was found by farmers in 1969.^[3]

7 The Broighter Hoard

Boats had a special meaning in the ancient world. With boats, humans were able to conquer the rough and terrifying elements of the ocean. It is no wonder then that several boats have been immortalized in gold.

The Broighter Hoard dates from the 1st century AD and was found in Northern Ireland in 1896 when the objects were plowed up in a field. After they were given a quick wash in the sink at the farmhouse, where it is possible some smaller pieces were lost down the drain, they were sold to the British Museum. It soon became clear the golden objects that were recovered were truly remarkable. Among the finds were a golden torc, a bowl, and a necklace made from three strands of gold. The most interesting piece was a boat made of gold, complete with oars and seats for rowers.

The presence of the boat among the hoard has led to suggestions that it was an offering to Manannán mac Lir—a sea god and lord of the underworld in Irish mythology.^[4]

6 The Staffordshire Hoard

Some hoards were deposited as ritual offerings to the gods, but some served a more practical purpose. In an emergency, it was often handy to hide your treasures in the ground for safety. You could then come back later and retrieve them. Or not, as the case may be. Many hoards are found when the ancient owners never returned for them. And this can allow us to piece together their histories.

The Staffordshire Hoard from England is the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver ever discovered. In total, it contains over 11 pounds (5 kilograms) of gold and thousands of objects. Many are richly decorated with inlaid garnets. Dating from the 7th or 8th century, all the objects, except for three religious items, are all related to the military. The one golden sword fitting found at Sutton Hoo was remarkable, but the Staffordshire Hoard contains 50 of them. So, where did all this treasure come from?

Given the quality of the objects and their military nature that were uncovered, it looks like they were looted from defeated enemies following a battle.^[5]

5 Saka Gold

Nomadic tribes are often thought of as living hard and poor lives. However, the Saka people of the 1st millenium BC were horse lords of the Eurasian steppes who prized their horses above all else. But they also left some of the richest material behind them, especially if one considers the amount of gold found in their tombs.

Over the tombs of their dead rulers, the Saka constructed large mounds that dominated their landscape. Archaeologists sometimes come across vast hoards of golden objects when they open these tombs. When one tomb, known as Arzhan 2, was excavated, they found two human skeletons in the center, 33 other people probably executed to follow the leader into the afterlife, and 9,300 golden objects weighing nearly 44 pounds (20 kilograms).

Other Saka tombs are almost as rich in their grave offerings. It seems people in the ancient world were not immune to the idea of a little grave robbing. When Arzhan 2 was dug up, archaeologists were able to see where an ancient attempt had been made to find the gold—but the early robbers gave up just shy of their prize.^[6]

4 Ram in a Thicket

The civilizations of Mesopotamia were among the first to develop cities and writing anywhere on Earth. The city of Eridu was founded around 5400 BC. Over the millennia which followed, the cities between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers developed into powerful states through trade and war. They also became famously wealthy and showed their wealth through a love of gold.

In the British Museum, there is a startling gold, shell, and lapis lazuli object that peers out at visitors. Known as the Ram in a Thicket, it is actually a goat standing against a flowering shrub. It was discovered in the ancient city of Ur and is thought to date from around 2500 BC.

The Ram was found inside the royal cemetery of Ur, inside what is colorfully known as the Great Death Pit, and no one can say for certain what it represents. A pair of these objects were found in the tomb and may have acted as supports for a bowl.^[7]

3 Varna Man

The Varna culture of Bulgaria flourished around 4500 BC and is best known from a single site. The Varna Necropolis was discovered by accident in 1972 and was immediately recognized as a very important ancient monument. The 300 graves of the Varna were the oldest known, where large amounts of gold were deposited with the dead.

Just one of the graves, Grave 43, contains more gold objects than are known from the rest of the world combined for this date. Known as Varna Man, this person was buried with gold disks sewn to his clothes, thick golden pendants, glittering bracelets, axes with handles of gold, and even a golden sheath to put over his penis.

Opinion differs as to who Varna Man may have been. The richness of his goods makes some think he was a ruler. Others think he may have been a goldsmith himself, which may also have been a highly valued position.^[8]

2 Gold Curse Tablets

Curse tablets are some of the strangest texts from the ancient world. Romans and Greeks were known to engrave their prayers and curses onto pieces of metal, curl them up, and deposit them at special religious sites so that the gods may read them and bring them to fruition. Most of these are written on lead, but some people tried to tempt the gods to do their work by using gold.

In Serbia, examples of curses written on gold and silver were discovered in 2016. Most curse tablets are written in Latin or Greek and say things like “May he who carried off Vilbia from me become as liquid as water,” or “May your penis hurt when you make love.” But these Serbian golden curses are more complex magical charms that are harder to read. The language appears to be Aramaic, but the words are written in the Greek alphabet.^[9]

1 Gold Wizard Hats

Hats have always been a way to make a fashion statement or mark someone as important. What bolder statement could one make than to make a hat out of gold? Maybe it would be more spectacular if you made it 2 feet (70 centimeters) tall.

Several large conical headpieces made of gold have been found in Europe that date from around 1400 to 800 BC. Their extraordinary size is matched by their intricate decoration, which also hints at their role in rites and religion. Some of the gold hats were carefully buried in antiquity, so they must have had some importance to the people who owned them.

The Berlin Gold Hat is the largest known and acts as a calendar. The golden rays of the sun are mimicked at the top, but in bands running around its length are images of the moon. For those who knew how to interpret these symbols, the hat functions as a 19-year lunar calendar and predicts lunar eclipses.^[10]