I have a similar sense of unease when I see pictures showing the extreme opulence conjured up by the Pahlavi family. It was out of tune with, and unsupported by, the cultural and economic environment of the country.
Not meant as a criticism of those who appreciate the beauty and workmanship of the jewels. Hard, though, to separate the symbolic and historic aspects of these regalia from the objects themselves.
--Previous Message-- : I wish the Shah had never done these absurd : celebrations like Persopolis or this : coronation. These were triggers which helped : the downfall of the monarchy because it : exposed the immense and unmeasurably deep : discrepantion between the all-day reality of : the common Iranians and the Court in : Teheran. : : Of course, a Queen Silvia with the Bragança : diadem on her head is a discrepantion too : with the common lady in Stockholm, but at : least the people in her kingdom belonged : (and still belong) to the wealthiest in the : world. : : I can not enjoy these pictures without the : by-thought of looking at a Kafka-esque : reality. : :