The Royal Danish CollectionAmalienborgThe kingsFrederik IIIFrederik III's robe

Frederik III’s robe

Frederik 3rd spent a lot of money on his wardrobe. As king, he was required to dress to show his power and wealth, but he was clearly also interested in the details of what he wore. Even when he was old, he dressed in the newest French fashion, with its muted colors and exquisite trimmings. This olive green suit shows the fashion trends, with full, baggy trousers and a loose-fitting, knee-length jacket. One can see his fine white shirt, and around his neck he wears a neckcloth with lace, replacing the wide, starched lace collar which his father Christian 4th favored. And instead of his father’s patterned fabrics in clear, strong colors, Frederik 3rd wears a suit of a muted, single color. It is decorated with costly silk lace and hand-stitched buttons of the same color, so one can only see how expensive it is by close examination. Here, in the second half of the 1600’s, the modern man’s 3-piece suit was born, as well as the tradition of wearing a tie.

Relations

The homage of 1660

Paying homage to the Hereditary King in front of the Castle of Copenhagen, 18th October, 1660.

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.

Jacob Jensen Nordmand

The ivory turner Jacob Jensen was born in Norway and became a sailor in the Danish navy. He was then apprenticed as a blacksmith in the Low Countries and, from 1624 to 1639, he was a soldier for the Low Countries in Brazil.

Gold chalice

Gold chalice with enamelled painting.

2: Christian IV's Writing Room

In this tower chamber, which was easily heated, Christian IV carried out his vast correspondence.

Norwegian Lion – Ivory Ship

Ivory model of the frigate ‘Norwegian Lion’. The ship is made of ivory, the canons and rigging of silver. The model was carved in 1654 by Jacob Jensen Nordmand. During the reign of Frederik II Denmark had one of Europe’s very best naval forces, but in spite of Christian IV’s expansion of it, the Danish Navy was weakened in step with the declining political importance of Denmark after the Thirty Years’ War and later defeats. In spite of this the navy supported the Danish claim to levy the Sound Dues for a period of around 400 years, as one of the reasons given was that the Danish navy kept the entire Baltic Sea free of pirates. Although this was to some extent true early in the period, the argument became more and more theoretical.

Paul Prieur

Paul Prieur was a painter of miniatures and enameller. He was born in Paris and was trained there and in Geneva as a goldsmith and enameller. Between 1659 and 1681 he lived in Denmark, working for the Royal Court.