The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgPaul Kurtz

Paul Kurtz

Paul Kurtz came to Denmark from Germany in 1655. He made silver and gold items for Frederik III and was mentioned in 1659 as “the King’s goldsmith”.

Frederik III had large parts of his daughters’ trousseau bought in Paris, which, already at that time, was a centre for European fashion. But the jewellery was commisioned to Kurtz. He was, therefore, considered an outstanding jeweller. In 1670-1671 he made his principal piece of work, Christian V’s crown. It’s closed shape was inspired by the crown of Louis XIV of France, but Kurtz replaced the lily-shaped points of the French crown with palmettes and adorned the crown with a row of diamonds intertwined with palmette and acanthus. In that way a “white” play of light was created, which was framed by blue and red in the sapphires and garnets of the crown ring and the orb and cross in the top.

After the death of Kurtz his studio was continued by his wife and his son Frederik, who was commissioned as Court goldsmith in 1676.

 

Relations

Christian V's Crown

The Crown of the Absolute Monarchs, used by the kings from Christian V to Christian VIII.

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.

Frederik III

Frederik III was the King of Denmark-Norway from 1648; he was married to Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg in 1643 and father to Christian V.

Christian V

Christian V was the King of Denmark-Norway from 1670; son of Frederik III and Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. He was married to Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel in 1667. He was the father of Frederik IV.

Order of the Elephant

The Chain of the Order of the Elephant with Insignia, gold with enamel and table-cut stones. The Chain was possibly made in Copenhagen by the goldsmith Jean Henri de Moor after 1693; the elephant possibly by Paul Kurtz, 1671.

Order of Dannebrog

The Chain of the Order of Dannebrog with Insignia, gold with enamel and table-cut stones. The Order was established by Christian V in 1671. The Insignia was possibly made by Paul Kurtz in the same year.

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.

Order of the Elephant, miniature

Miniature Order of the Elephant, the tower of which is made into a whistle. Used by Christian V during hunts in the Deer Park, north of Copenhagen. Made by Paul Kurtz, 1670’s.