The exterior of the dome is surmounted by a dramatic gilded crown and cross, which were a gift from the people of Ireland in 1924.

Perhaps that is why Mr. Roche was the first seminar participant to don a gilded crown and emote, to the polite laughter of other executives.

Despite the gilded crown atop its narrow spire, St. Martin's offers an otherwise unprepossessing facade, one that contrasts with the soaring Gothic space within.

In the "Fit for a King" section, for example, one finds everything from beaded slippers to a gilded crown and personal ornaments modeled on European regalia.

"The gilded crowns are gone from the tops of the bars," he said.

Stone tables on the front gable were painted in blue and furnished with gilded crowns and the inscription "1603".

While Dane was trying on the jacket, Amon produced a square box that contained a gilded crown and white wig, along with a purple mask, ermine-fringed.

So were the gilded crowns worn with the pastel bouffant dresses.

Stoss created a large gilded crown to hang over the frame, but this is now lost.

On other signs, the outsize images include a rearing lion, a timid ram and a gilded crown.