vienna028 The Imperial Crown West Germany or Milan, 2nd half of 10th century The basic octagon shape contains the number representing the Emperor. This number 8 appears in many imperial works (for example the Palatine chapel in Aix-la-Chapelle). The four main plates are thickly encrusted with precious stones. The twelve precious stones on the forehead-plate symbolize the twelve apostles, the New Covenant. The twelve stones on the neck plate represent the twelve tribes of Israel, the Old Covenant. The Otto kings saw themselves as the successors of the apostles and of the high priests. The four enamel plates show Christ with two seraphim, King David, King Solomon and King Hezekiah with the prophet Isaiah. The inscriptions explain their connection with the King; they refer to God's grace, righteousness, wisdom and long life. The imperial top-arch from forehead to neck bears the name of Konrad II, set in pearls. The occasion for the making of the crown is said to have been the coronation of Otto the Great of his son Otto II as co-emperor in 967.