The crown is a work of Visigothic goldsmithing from the 7th century ordered to be made by King Recceswinth. It is a votive crown that was made by the workshop of the court of Toledo. Gold, garnets, sapphires and pearls were used in its creation. It is part of the so-called treasure of Guarrazar.
The votive crown is one of the main artistic objects of Visigothic goldsmithing in Spain. They were a permanent offering that since Constantine times were made to churches to honor God. They consisted of large circles of precious metal, studded with stones and adorned with pinjantes or earrings of glass, metal, pearls, etc., which after having been used for the coronation of a king were offered by kings and magnates to be suspended above the altar and under the baldachin, almost always expressing the name of the offerer in some Latin inscription.
On Recesvinth's crown in hanging letters in Latin, you can read: RECCESVINTHVS REX OFFERET (King Recesvinth offered it). This type of hanging letter arrived to Visigothic Spain from the eastern roman empire where offerings of royal crowns with similar characteristics were made, which indicates close connections between visigothic Spain and the eastern roman empire.
From the center of the crown usually hung a gold votive cross that could also serve as an altar cross.
by SkellyCry