Confusion surrounding the kyrkoskatternas security

"The confusion surrounding the kyrkoskatternas security"

"The glass showcase, where Karl IX:s begravningsregalier in the Strängnäs cathedral were stored was 30 years old. Any requirement on how a subject of this importance should be kept, however, are not. It is up to the individual churches."

"The now shattered glasmontern in Strängnäs produced in 1989. But since then much has happened in the design of such stands, not least in terms of the safety glass that the now sentenced the 22-year-old broke. Now considered to be showcases of the level 4-5 as the very safest."

"– These booths are in the practice as safe, " says Ebba Gillbrand, preservationist at the county administrative board in Sörmland, sweden, to the TT."

"on the occasion of the high-profile theft in Strängnäs, sweden the county administrative board in Sörmland, sweden now require that begravningsregalierna be stored in such a booth."

"TT: Why have you not demanded this before?"

"– It may, of course, we take on us, but if we had inspected the booth before the theft, it had certainly been approved because it met the requirements we have. However, we must be self-critical and this theft must lead to improving security. So henceforth we will require a booth in level 4-5, says Ebba Gillbrand."

"But according to Maria Barkin, verksjurist at the national heritage board, can't the county making such demands."

"– They do not have the type of supervisory responsibility. They can have opinions about the placement of the objects and give permission for repairs and movement, but they can not make demands on safety, or which booth that some objects should be stored in. It is up to the Swedish church, " she says."

"But the Swedish church places no constraints at all on how the security of the valuable items have to be designed."

"– Each congregation owns its objects, and it is they who must ensure that they are kept in the right way, " says Markus Dahlberg, head of unit for kulturarvsstöd at the Swedish church."

TT: But it seems a bit typical that the safety is improved only after a theft, rather than before?"

" It is regrettable what happened, but also easy to be wise after the event. It is not uncommon that the shortcomings are addressed only when something occurred. The most important thing is that you learn for the future."

"Karl IX, Gustav Vasa's youngest son, and the father of king Gustav II Adolf, died in 1611 after a stroke. His wife, queen Kristina the elder was the Swedish regent during the king's absence in 1605. Queen Kristina died at Nyköping castle in 1625."

"Rulers begravningsregalier from 1611 and 1626 are of very high artistic quality. Karl IX:s crown is made in gold and enamel, gems and rock crystals – so-called Swedish diamonds – of the goldsmiths Antony's Cave and Peter Kempe. The queen's is made of gold with enamel. To the regalia are also golden riksäpplen and spires."

"Karl IX:s gold crown has been damaged during the theft. Three details from the crown, including a polished rock crystal was found outside the booth in the cathedral."

"The stolen items had an insured value of sek 65 million, while the value of the objects that were left in the stand is estimated at 26.5 million dollars."

"Sources: Encyclopedia, the royal armoury and prosecutors"