Ketopong or the crown of Sultan Kutai Kartanegara is made of gold and decorated with precious stones. The shape of crown is brunjungan (high and round) and in the front part of the crown resembles staged pagoda, decorated with curly or spiral motives combined with spiraling plants motives. The back decoration is garuda mungkur with motives of flower, deer and bird.


This golden Ketopong has been used since the reign of Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman (1845-1899). It was predicted that this crown was made in the mid 19th century by a goldsmith of Kutai Kingdom.


According to the explanation of Carl Block in his book The Head-Hunters of Borneo (1881), Sultan Sulaiman has 6 to 8 goldsmiths who were specially employed to make golden and silver goods for Sultan.


In Mulawarman Museum of Tenggarong, there are only two duplicates of this Ketopong. The real crown which weighs almost 2 kg is kept in the National Museum of Jakarta.


At the coronation of Sultan H.A.M Salehuddin II as the Sultan of Kutai Kartanegara in September 22, 2001, the government of Kutai Kartanegara Regency borrows the ketopong for the coronation process.