Scepter of Dagobert explained

Originally part of the French Crown Jewels, sometimes considered its oldest part, and dating from the 7th century, the scepter of Dagobert was stored in the treasure of the Basilica of Saint-Denis (also known as Basilique royale de Saint-Denis) until 1795, when it disappeared, stolen in the basilica and never seen again.

Its name comes from Dagobert I (629–639), the French king for whom it was supposedly created by master goldsmith Éloi de Noyon, better known as Saint Eligius.

Description

Made of filigraned and enameled gold, the scepter was 56 cm long. It was made out of three parts, the rod, the hand holding the world and a statue at the top, the oldest part of the scepter.^[1]

See also

• List of missing treasures

References

1. Un autre sceptre non moins curieux est celui qui, sous le nom de Sceptre de Dagobert, fut longtemps conservé au Trésor de Saint-Denis; mais la partie supérieure seule peut être regardée comme un monument des premiers siècles de la monarchie française: elle représente un homme placé sur le dos d'un aigle qui vole, espèce d'apothéose dans le genre de celles qu'on voit sur les monuments romains, et dont le travail grossier semble se rapporter au gout de la première race. Page 220 Le Magazin Pittoresque volume 11 (1843)