The Royal Danish CollectionAmalienborgThe PalaceInterior and objectsThe Appartement HallJewel of Pearl, Gold, and Precious Stones

Jewel of Pearl, Gold, and Precious Stones

The pendant was a present to Princess Caroline Amalie from the sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen’s friend, Count Sommariva. The jewel is composed of a pearl mounted with gold and represents a rabbit with a diamond and a ruby as eyes. During the baroque, unusually formed pearls were seen as a gift from God. Goldsmiths were inspired by the individual pearl and freely invented a figure which was supplemented with gold and often with precious stones.

Several examples of this tradition can be seen in The Green Cabinet at Rosenborg. In the 1800s the tradition was revived, and the rabbit pendant stems from this period. The present was given in 1821, when Princess Caroline Amalie and her consort Prince Christian (VIII) Frederik stayed in Rome for an extended period during a three-year journey abroad and associated with Thorvaldsen and the circle around the famous artist.

Relations

Caroline Amalie

Caroline Amalie became Queen of Denmark in 1839. She was the daughter of Duke Friedrich Christian of Augustenborg and Princess Louise Augusta. In 1815 she married Prince Christian Frederik, later King Christian VIII.

Christian VIII

Christian VIII was the King of Denmark from 1839. His mother was Sophie Frederikke, wife of Christian VII's brother Prince Frederik, the Heir Presumptive.

The Appartement Hall

The Appartement Hall is partly furnished in accordance with Nikolai Abildgaard's watercolours. It served as dining hall for Christian X and Queen Alexandrine on official occasions.

Busts of Prince Christian (VIII) Frederik and Princess Caroline Amalie

Bronze busts of Prince Christian (VIII) Frederik and Princess Caroline Amalie. crafted by Bertel Thorvaldsen, 1821.

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Bertel Thorvaldsen is one of the most famous sculptors in Denmark. His work was clearly inspired by classiscal Greece and Rome.

Sculptures

A young Bertel Thorvaldsen created the Gala Hall's two sculptures, which represent Euterpe and Terpsichore, respectively the Muses of music and dance in Greek mythology.