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Coronation chair, King

The coronation chair of the Danish kings, used at coronations between 1671-1840 during the institution of Absolute Monarchy, by Bendix Grodtschilling 1662-1671.

The gilt figures were added during Christian V’s reign. The chair was used at coronations from 1671-1840.

Frederik III ordered this chair along the same lines as the silver lions, inspired by the stories of King Solomon from the Old Testament. To further enhance its  legendary status, it was said that it was composed by unicorn horn. In reality, however, it is made from narwhale tusks, a material the danish kings could initially claim almost as their own because of the danish ownership of Iceland and the Faroe islands.

Christian VIII was the last coronated king, 1840, and immediately after the succesion of his son King Frederik VII in 1848, Frederik VII signed the first constitution in 1849. Since regents are no longer coronated, the subsequent succesions up until this day, have traditionally been marked by the proclamation of the death of the old regent by the primeminister, followed by three “long live…the new regent”, from the balcony of Christiansborg.

For more information on royal artefacts, please visit the website of the Danish monarchy

Relations

Christian V on the Throne

Michael von Haven’s depiction of Christian V on the throne in Frederiksborg Palace Chapel.

1650-1675

The wars of Charles Gustavus (1657-1658 and 1658-1660) were the important events in foreign politics of the period. The loss of Scania, Halland and Blekinge at the Peace of Roskilde in 1658 was a nadir of power politics in Danish history.

Trouser Watering Chair

Armchair from the time of Frederik III, which is ingeniously constructed to grab hold of guests using hidden tentacles in the armrests.

Crowns and coronets

Crowns and coronets of royalty and the nobility, arranged in order of precedence in 1671, during the Absolutist period.

Christian V's coronation

Christian V’s coronation in the chapel of Frederiksborg Palace in 1671. Sketch for an engraving, painted by Michael von Haven.

The Ampulla

The Ampulla of gold with enamel and table-cut stones. Made for the coronation of Frederik III in 1648 by an unknown goldsmith in Copenhagen. Used at anointings during the period of Absolutism.

Lehmann’s Large Musical Cabinet

The four metre high musical cabinet is not simply the most impressive example of the craft of furniture making made in Denmark in the 18th century; it also has a built in “music machine” with a mini orchestra. Frederik V was able to impress and enchant his guests in the golden dining room at Christiansborg Palace with the cabinet’s automated trumpet, flute, and cembalo mechanism. Every half hour a bell in the cabinet chimed, after which the finest music in the form of a trumpet fanfare played; the cabinet also played a piece for flutes and cembalos every hour. There was a choice of 14 different pieces for flute, and 7 pieces for trumpet. The cabinet is evidence of extravagant spending, and the price of 6,560 rigsdaler was the equivalent of buying a small palace. Frederik V ordered the piece himself in 1755, and it was already finished two years later. At that time Denmark was a major power, and it was important to display one’s wealth and position. With the cabinet’s virtuoso craftsmanship, noble varieties of wood, lavish gilt bronze fittings, and enormous size, nobody could be in any doubt about the king’s capabilities. Guests at the palace could also let themselves be enthralled by the fact that the court followed the newest fashions; the cabinet was made in the wildest and most advanced form of rococo. Simultaneously, the cabinet exemplified the age’s interest in mechanics. It was before the industrial revolution and there was a great fascination with machines and mechanics, which is for example known from clocks of the time. Automated objects were the preserve of the few, and pure mechanical art in a fantastic guise like the large musical cabinet’s exterior was worthy of a king. The cabinet was in every way a showpiece. You can listen to recordings from the musical cabinet here.

Amethyst

Amethyst (1305 carats/261 g.) in a casing with Christian V’s name in gold on enamel, possibly made by Paul Kurtz, 1671. The jewel was only used when the kings sat on the throne during the anointing.