The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgCastle historyInterior and objectsG The Treasury
Kælder

G The Treasury

The Treasury in the castle basement was first opened to the public in 1975. The raw concrete room was designed by the architect Peter Koch. The room, which houses most of Rosenborg’s most valuable treasures, is divided into three sections.

Among the treasures in the first section is Christian III’s State Sword. The Sword was among the regalia used at coronations before the introduction of Absolutism; it was used for the last time at the coronation of Frederik III in 1648. Also displayed are the earliest specimens of the Order of the Elephant, Christian IV’s Order of the Garter and other exhibits, mostly dating from the time of Christian IV.

One of the outstanding items in section 1 is the Oldenburg Horn. It is said that it was given to Count Otto, the first member of the House of Oldenburg, while hunting in 989 by a mysterious young girl. She wanted him to drink from it but he poured out the drink and took the horn with him. However, the horn was not made until around 1400, though that does not make the story any worse.

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Objects in this room
5000
5000. Christian III’s Sword of State. Grip and scabbard of gold with enamel and table-cut diamonds. Made in 1551 by the goldsmith Johann Siebe. After design by Jakob Binck? Before the introduction of Absolutism in 1660, the Sword of State was the first of the regalia to be handed over to the King. Used for the last time at the coronation of Frederik III in 1648.
5002-5018
5002. The Oldenborg Horn. Legend has it that in the year 989, the first member of the House of Oldenborg, Count Otto, while out hunting met a young maiden, who handed him a drinking horn and bade him drink his fill. He sensibly threw away the contents and kept the horn. The legend notwithstanding, the horn, made of silver decorated with enamel, was made in c. 1465 and was probably presented to Cologne Cathedral by Christian I. After the Reformation it was returned to the family’s possession. In 1667 it was handed down from the ducal line of Oldenborg to the Danish Royal House.
5004. Relief in chased gold from the late 15th century representing St. Michael.
5006. St. George medallion of enamelled gold. On the reverse an added medallion of Joseph and Mary with the Child. Both from c. 1550 and both in the same frame of rubies and emeralds from the 17th century.
5008. Hat ornament, consisting of gold plate with beaten and chiselled female figure with vase in high relief. Pandora? Milan, c. 1560?
5010. Mirror in gilt, richly ornamented silver frame with garnets. Made in Antwerp c. 1564. Possibly wedding gift for Duchess Christine of Holstein-Gottorp.
5012. Philip of Spain (1527-98). Onyx cameo with name. Made by Jacopo da Trezzo or his workshop in Madrid c. 1560. 1560?
5014. Gold medallion with beaten and chiselled portrayal of Christ on the Throne. On the reverse: CUR QVÆRIS NOMEN MEU. QUOD EST MIRABILE: You ask my name. It is wondrous. A reference to the angel’s reply to the childless Manoah before his wife bears Samson. (Judges, 13) Amulet to ward of infertility? South Germany 1550-1600?
5016. Chalice of gold with inlaid enamel. Made for Frederik II’s newly erected chapel at Kronborg by the goldsmith Hans Raadt in 1583?
5018. Paten of gold with inlaid enamel. Made in the latter half of the 16th century. From Kronborg Castle Chapel.
5020-5030
5020. The Order of the Elephant in its oldest existing form, with Frederik II’s picture, monogram and motto. Made in 1580 by Hans Raadt after a drawing by Melchior Lorck?
5022. – 5024. Two gold chains with rectangular links for pendants, c. 1600.
5026. The Order of the Mailed Sword-Arm, dated 1617. Gold enamel with table-cut stones. Instituted by Christian IV to commemorate the Kalmar War against Sweden 1611-13. Made by Corvinianus Sauer?
5028. Christian IV’s arm. Cast in lead on the basis of an impression of the King’s right arm made by Hans van Steenwinckel (II) in c. 1614. Possibly made as a model for the Order of the Mailed Sword-Arm, or perhaps with a view to production of an equestrian statue.
5030. The Order of the Elephant. Gold enamel with table-cut stones. On the elephant’s cloth the Order of the Mailed Sword-Arm (no. 5028). This combination of the two orders was conferred on two occasions, in 1633 and 1634. Since then only the Order of the Elephant has been conferred.
5032-5044
5032. Silver plates with amber bases, made in 1585 in Kaliningrad by Andreas Knieffel for the Margravine Sophie of Brandenburg, née Princess of Brunswick and Lüneburg, Frederik II’s cousin. Amberwork by Stenzel Snitt? Housewarming present to Frederik II at Kronborg? Associated with no. 2721.
5034. Wine jug of silver with Frederik II’s crowned monogram: Fredericus Secundus. Danish work?
5036. Rosary of cornelians, onyx and gold beads, and scallop of garnet. 16th century.
5038. Knife handle of gold with monogram, in figures, of Queen Sophie and Frederik II.
5039. Sweetmeat bowl of silver gilt, glorifying the Danish coat-of-arms borne by a lion. Made by Hinrich Lambrecht (I), Hamburg c. 1600.
5040. Gold spoon, engraved with Queen Sophie’s monogram and coat-of-arms of Mecklenburg. Denmark, c. 1600?
5041. Silver gilt sweetmeat dish. Made by Hans Lambrecht (II), Hamburg 1631-33. Part of a gift from Christian IV to the Russian Tsar in 1643-44, on the occasion of Count Valdemar Christian’s proposal of marriage to the Tsar’s daughter.
5042. Knife handle with Queen Sophie’s monogram and warrior with shield of gold on black enamel. Denmark, c. 1590?
5044. Pomander in the form of a skull, gold and white enamel with rubies. Sponge interior with six compartments for perfume. On a string with corals carved like skulls, of which two are with crown and smiling female face, symbolizing the transience of human life. Denmark, c. 1600?
5046-5064
5046. Queen Anne Cathrine’s coat-of-arms as Princess of Brandenburg, embroidered with gold and pearls and studded with turquoises and garnets. From her bed canopy, part of her dowry in 1597.
5048. – 5050. Two clothes brushes with silver gilt handles from 1597, with Queen Anne Cathrine’s coat-of-arms and initials and her parents’ monogram.
5052. Pendant in the form of a crowned lion, made in gold with blue enamel and diamonds, from c. 1600.
5054. Pendant in the form of a crowned lion, made in gold with brown enamel and gilded mounting with diamonds, from c. 1600.
5056. Reliefs in silver of Christian IV and Anne Cathrine. Made from designs by Jacob van Doordt, probably after the Queen’s death in 1612.
5058. Bracelet of pierced enamelled gold (blue lions, heart with arrow) and the crowned letters A.C. for Queen Anne Cathrine. Beneath the arrow and monogram, braided hair. A gift from Christian IV to his wife?
5060. Bracelet with rubies and diamonds, the links in the form of hearts and hour glasses and the clasp a winged hourglass, symbolizing Love’s victory over Death. On the back Christian IV’s cipher in enamel. A gift to his mother, Queen Sophie.
5062. Gold cross with female figure (“Faith”) and necklace of enamelled gold with rubies, emeralds, a diamond and pearls. From c. 1590.
5064. Spoon with stem of heliotrope and gold enamel, bowl of conch-shell (Cyprea tigris). Prague c. 1610. Whooping cough medicine was thought to have added effect when taken from a conch-shell.
5066-5082
5066. Book cover in gold and champlevé enamel; bears the coats-of-arms of Denmark, Schleswig and Holstein and the initials: A(ugsburg) G(eboren) A(us) K(öniglichem) S(tamm) Z(u) D(änemark) H(erzogin) Z(u) S(chleswig) H(olstein) and I(ohan) A(dolph) H(erzog) Z(u) S(chleswig) H(olstein) 1613.
5068. Cup of reddish-brown jasper made in Venice in the 14th century. The gold and enamel mounting orginates from Christian IV’s time. In the bottom a K denoting Kirsten Munk?
5070. Handwritten prayer book belonging to Kirsten Munk and written by herself. On the first page the date, 22nd Sept 1617, written by the King. Later additions by Sophie Rantzau and Leonora Christina. On the cover figure monograms in enamel: 3.4.10.13. (i.e. C(hristian) IV K(irsten) M(unk).
5072. Handwritten prayer book. Belonged to Kirsten Munk. Enamelled ornaments with symbols of Evangelists, and a crowned C K signifying Christian Kirsten. Inside are the names of Christian IV and his sons from 1625, and the name and handwriting of Corfitz Ulfeld’s mother from 1636, to whom it must have belonged.
5074. Spoon of gold and enamel with a cut sapphire in the form of a leaf. Bears the letters C. K. (Christian Kirsten). Belonged to Kirsten Munk. Pale sapphires were called female sapphires and symbolized woman’s fidelity.
5076. Signet ring with engraved sapphire with Christian IV’s monogram and the coats-of-arms of the kingdom’s provinces. The sapphire was cut in 1623, the ring, of gold and enamel, made in Hamburg in 1641.
5078. Rose-shaped ornament of enamelled gold with seven red stones. From c. 1600?
5080. Signet ring of gold and engraved sapphire with the Prince Elect’s monogram and the coats-of-arms of state and the provinces. From c. 1625.
5082. Vinaigrette of gold with hunting scenes in glass enamel. From 1620-30.
5084-5095
5084. – 5086. Insignia and garter of the Order of the Garter, sent to Frederik II by Elizabeth I in 1582. Gold and velvet with enamel, diamonds and rubies.
5088. – 5094. Collar, the “Great” Insignia, Garter and “Lesser” Insignia of the Order of the Garter, sent to Christian IV by James I in 1603. Gold with enamel and diamonds, velvet with pearls and rubies. The collar and the Great Insignia, the latter mounted on a base as a statuette in c. 1650, were only worn on ceremonial occasions. They should have been returned on Christian IV’s death in 1648, but were not, owing to the political instability in England. They were thus preserved, and are now thought to be the oldest examples in existence.
5095. The lesser insignia of the Order of the Garter. Belonged to Christian IVs younger brother, Duke Ulrik (1578-1624), administrator of the diocese Schwerin, who was awarded the Order during a visit to England in 1605.
5096-5122
5096. Gold cup engraved with a crowned C4 and the date 1644. Made by Caspar Herbach?
5098. Butter bowl of dark-green Saxony serpentine with gold mounting on which is engraved: C4 Friedrichsburgk 1643. Made by Caspar Herbach?
5100. Gold spoon with Christian IV’s crowned monogram in red enamel. Denmark, c. 1640?
5102. Hourglass of gold enamel with Christian IV’s monogram, the year 1633 and a rebus consisting of a burning heart and the words Jahve (Hebrew for Jehovah) and Dirige meum: The Lord direct my burning heart. The rebus has parallels on the Round Tower and on coins from the 1640’s.
5104. Sexfoil gold beaker with enamel, rubies and a sapphire. Made for the Prince Elect’s wedding in 1634?
5106. Oval mirror, on the back of which Christian IV’s rebus from the Round Tower with enamel letters on black velvet. (no. 5102).
5108. Sapphire in silver setting as costume ornament.
5110. Gustavus II Adolphus (1594-1632), King of Sweden. Relief portrait in gold and enamel, made after a medal by Sebastian Dadler. Nuremberg, 1630’s?
5112. Spoon with bowl of enamelled gold and stem of coral. From c. 1620?
5114. Knife handle of gold with alchemistic inscription(?): 4 3/6 K and a crowned figure monogram 8 for the Electress Hedevig of Saxony, Christian IV’s sister, and the date 1632.
5116. Butter bowl of stoneware with mounting of silver gilt. On the lid a Hebrew inscription for the Holy Trinity. On the foot a crowned 8 for the Electress Hedevig of Saxony and the date 1639. In Saxony, a dedicated development of stoneware production led to Meissen porcelain.
5118. Pair of gold scissors with figure of eight handle, Electress Hedevig’s figure monogram and the year 1636.
5120. Forkhandle of gold in the form of a figure. Gold with enamel and rubies. From c. 1630.
5122. Chalice, paten, wafer box and altar jug of gold with engraving in niello, white and black enamel, sapphires and diamonds. Made for Christian IV’s sister, Duchess Augusta of Holstein-Gottorp, partly reusing precious stones from her mother’s estate. The engraving on the chalice is based on illustrations by Matthæus Merian in 1625-28 for the Strasbourg edition of Luther’s Bible in 1630.

Relations

Leonora Christina

Princess Leonora Christina was the daughter of Christian IV and Kirsten Munk. In 1636 she was married to Corfitz Ulfeldt.Leonora Christina was a favourite of Christian IV.

Kirsten Munk

In 1615 Kirsten Munk became the second wife of Christian IV. She was the daughter of Ludvig Munk and Ellen Marsvin. She and the King had twelve children, of which eight survived.

1575-1600

This period was not only the end of a century but also the last part of an period of prosperity. It was also a time of peace, with a pause in the otherwise regular wars with Sweden.

1600-1625

The first decades of the 17th century was a great period for the entrepreneurial and ambitious Christian IV. An economic depression was on its way, but its full force had not yet been felt.

1625-1650

The second half of Christian IV's reign became a time of recession. The economic crisis became more severe, and at the same time the fortunes of war turned.

Frederik II

Frederik II was the King of Denmark and Norway from 1559. Son of Christian III and Queen Dorothea of Saxony-Lauenburg. In 1572 he was married to Sophie of Mecklenburg, with whom he had Christian IV.

Christian IV

Christian IV was the King of Denmark and Norway from 1588; crowned in 1596. Son of Frederik II and Sophie of Mecklenburg.