The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgCastle historyInterior and objects18 Frederik VII's RoomFrederik VII's megaphone

Frederik VII’s megaphone

Frederik VII applied this megaphone, made of nickel silver, on board the steam schooner “Falken” (The Falcon). The ship was the monarchs private property, but was equipped and maintained by the Royal Danish Navy. The megaphone was used to address the ships crew, 16 men in total.

The 19th century was stamped by industrial enterprise and nickel silver was no exception to this. The alloying of copper, nickel and zinc is an artifical material from industrial production. It resembles silver in style and characteristics but contains no elemental silver.

As Frederik VII’s helmet of aluminium, displayed in the same room, the megaphone illustrates the king’s interest in modern inventions and the technological developement.

Relations

Frederik VII's uniform

Frederik VII’s general’s uniform, complete with tunic, trousers, scarf, sabre, sword belt, cartridge pouch and an aluminium helmet with a crowned lion, and the king’s decorations.

Jewelry, diamonds

Jewellery set of gold with citrines, amethysts, pearls and diamonds. Belonged to Countess Danner, possibly a birthday present from Frederik VII, 1860. Made by court jeweller J. Diderichsen.

Frederik VII, 1861

Portrait of Frederik VII. Painting by I. Vilhelm Gertner, 1861. Only two years after the completion of this painting Frederik VII, who is regarded as one of the most treasured kings in danish history, died.

Frederik VII's helmet

Frederik VII’s general’s helmet made of aluminium, by J.B. Dalhoff, c. 1859. The lightweight aluminium was then a newly developed and very expensive metal.