History and Opulence of Mardi Gras Queen Crowns in New Orleans

The History of Mardi Gras Queen Crowns

Mardi Gras celebrations have a long and storied history stretching back centuries. An integral part of many modern Mardi Gras festivities across Louisiana and beyond is the selection of a Mardi Gras Queen - and what better way to honor the Queen than with a stunning crown!

Mardi Gras queens are typically chosen to preside over the parades and balls leading up to Lent. Their role is symbolic of the last bit of indulgence and revelry before the more somber and restrained period of Lent in the Christian calendar. The crowns they wear are equally symbolic - grand, elaborate, and joyful.

Early French Roots

The tradition of choosing Mardi Gras royalty and crowning a Queen has its origins in medieval France. During carnival seasons, a "King of Fools" would be selected to preside over carnival festivities. This mocking inversion of royalty was a way for peasants to poke fun at societal norms and hierarchies before Lent.

When Mardi Gras came to Louisiana with early French settlers, choosing carnival royalty became a tradition in New Orleans and surrounding areas. Instead of a King, elegantly dressed women presided over the festivities as Carnival Queens.

The First Mardi Gras Queens

The first-known Mardi Gras Queen reigned over New Orleans Mardi Gras festivities in 1870. Mildred Lee, representing Osiris, wore a crown and long train of satin and lace that was eight yards long. This set the precedent for the elegant, grand costumes and crowns worn by future Carnival Queens.

In 1872 Comus, the oldest continuously parading New Orleans krewe, debuted what is considered the first truly lavish queen's crown. Their 1872 queen, Mollie Minturn, wore a crown featuring cut glass jewels, brilliant stones, and surmounted by plumes waving five feet into the air. This was the forerunner of many increasingly elaborate queen's crowns to come.

Modern Mardi Gras Queen Crowns

Today, Mardi Gras queen crowns are an opportunity for krewes and designers to flaunt their creativity, resources, and bling. As the crowns have increased in complexity and opulence over the decades, they have become core symbols of each parade.

Design Details

While early queen crowns featured flowers, plumes, and imitation jewels, today's crowns incorporate top-tier crystals, gemstones, and metals. Sterling silver, gold, platinum are frequently used along with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.

Iconic New Orleans motifs like fleurs-de-lis, beaded ropes, and colorful feathers are also commonly seen motifs. Hidden lights, mechanical parts, and even smoke or fog effects have also been incorporated for dramatic presentations during parades or at balls.

The crowns are designed specifically to complement and enhance each parade's theme visually. This means new crowns are custom-created each year at great effort and expense.

Notable Designers

Some of the most sought-after designers who create crowns for Mardi Gras royalty include Henri Schindler, San Fernando Original Designs, and Ronnie Brossette Creations. Their crowns are kept secret until their debut during carnival season when excitement and speculation are at a fever pitch.

Henri Schindler produced crowns for almost fifty years up until his retirement in 2015. Many of his crowns incorporated entertainer props, mechanical parts, and the most ornate jewelry available. Ronnie Brossette has a background in theater costume design which brings drama and visual impact to her crowns.

The teams behind San Fernando crowns emphasize shape, silhouette, ergonomic fit and comfort so their queens can comfortably wear their substantial crowns through lengthy parades. Many San Fernando crowns feature intricate filigree metalwork dripping with crystals and gemstones.

Famous Mardi Gras Queen Crowns

With over seventy parading krewes in New Orleans alone, one-of-a-kind queen crowns debut regularly during carnival season. However a few exceptionally lavish crowns have risen to legendary status over the years.

Nereids Golden Jubilee Crown

One of the most legendary Mardi Gras queen's crowns comes from the Nereids krewe. Their 1998 Golden Jubilee crown featured golden flames studded with 183 carats of Burmese rubies and 423 carats of yellow diamonds. The centerpiece emerald weighed in at 161 carats. Valued at over $200,000 dollars, it set a new standard in New Orleans Mardi Gras bling.

Sparta Crown of Excellence

Sparta's 2022 Crown of Excellence exemplifies the creativity and craftsmanship possible in Modern Mardi Gras queen crowns. Designed by Ronnie Brossette Creations, the towering headpiece depicts Sparta’s iconic Helen of Troy with intricate metalwork, Austrian crystals, and golden 3D-printed details.

Muses 2022 Crown

Muses prides itself on handcrafting the majority of their parade throws each year. Their 2022 crown designed by San Fernando continues this tradition with a golden crown and halo embellished with hand-sculpted and hand-painted shoe and purse charms by local artist Alexandra Lahasky.

The one-of-a-kind charms, inspired by Boulet’s iconic mule shoes, take the place of traditional gemstones for a unique representation of the krewe’s signature shoe throws.

Owning a Piece of History

After their parade debuts, most Mardi Gras crowns are dismantled and their components are reused for future crowns. Some enter private collections occasionally appearing at museum exhibitions focused on Carnival history.

Very rarely, pieces of these crowns become available for purchase by collectors seeking to own a glittering piece of Mardi Gras history.

Purchasing Genuine Items

Collectors must exercise caution when considering purchasing any items claimed to be authentic Mardi Gras crown elements. Given the extremely high intrinsic value of most crown materials, buyers should beware fakes and demand authentication before purchasing.

Reputable auction houses and jewelry appraisers are the best options for having possible Mardi Gras crown pieces professionally vetted for authenticity. Certificates of authenticity, detailed history of previous ownership, or other concrete provenance are essential.

Owning a Crown Memory

For those who wish to own a personal piece of a Mardi Gras Queen's crown without collecting genuine crown elements, official souvenir medallions are released by some krewes after their parades.

Medallions designed to replicate elements of that year’s crown are wonderful keepsakes by which to remember the magic and meaning of Mardi Gras royalty.

FAQs

Who typically wears the Mardi Gras queen crown?

Mardi Gras queens are chosen to preside over the parades and balls leading up to Lent. They wear elaborate crowns and gowns as symbols of the excess and indulgence of the Carnival season.

How much do Mardi Gras queen crowns cost to make?

Modern Mardi Gras queen crowns often feature valuable metals, gemstones, and Swarovski crystals so they can cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars to produce.

Where can I buy pieces of authentic Mardi Gras crowns?

Genuine elements from previous crowns rarely become available for purchase. Reputable auction houses or jewelry appraisers are the best options for having possible crown pieces professionally authenticated before buying.