Caspar Fincke (1584 – 9 February 1655) was a

Bohemia Bohemia ( ; cs, Čechy ; ; hsb, Čěska; szl, Czechy) is the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech Republic. Bohemia can also refer to a wider area consisting of the historical Lands of the Bohemian Crown ruled by the Bohem ...

n-Danish court smith during the reigns of Christian IV and Frederick III. He has created some of the finest decorative metalwork for some of the most prominent buildings of the time, including Frederiksborg Castle, Kronborg Castle Christian IV's Chapel in Roskilde Cathedral and a number of churches around the country.

Early life and education

Fincke was born,

. He came to Denmark in an early age. He was trained as a smith before moving to Denmark.

Career

In 1610, he was employed at Kronborg Rifle Factory. In 1612, he was admitted to Helsingør Smiths Guild. His workshop was located at the corner of Sankt Annagade and Kongensgade. The latter street was for a while known as Caspar Finckes Stræde. In c. 1615, he created some of the decorative wrought iron work for Frederiksborg Castle. By 161818, he had already created his elaborate wrought iron gate for Christian IV's Chapel in Roskilde Cathedral. It features the inscription "CF. bin ich genant, diser Arbeit bin ich bekant". In 1622–30, he was back at

Hammermøllen Hammermøllen was a set of water mills at Hellebæk Hellebæk is a town located on the coast five kilometres northwest of Helsingør, North Zealand, some 40 kilometres north of Copenhagen, Denmark. It has merged with the neighbouring community ...

Hellebæk Hellebæk is a town located on the coast five kilometres northwest of Helsingør, North Zealand, some 40 kilometres north of Copenhagen, Denmark. It has merged with the neighbouring community of Ålsgårde to form an urban area with a population o ...

. In 1631, he was appointed as court smith at

Copenhagen Castle Copenhagen Castle ( da, Københavns Slot) was a castle on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It was built in the late 14th century and was located at the site of the current Christiansborg Palace. History In 1167, Bisho ...

. Frederiksborg Castle and Kronborg Castle. The railing on the observation platform of the

Round Tower A fortified tower (also defensive tower or castle tower or, in context, just tower) is one of the defensive structures used in fortifications, such as castles, along with curtain walls. Castle towers can have a variety of different shapes and ful ...

in Copenhagen is also attributed to him. He also contributed with decorative metalwork for a number of churches around the country. Many of his works incorporate his mark, a hammer crossed with a key.

Personal life and legacy

He married twice. Gis first wife was Sofie Berendsdatter (c. 1595 - 2 December 1624). His second wife was Karen Andersdatter (died 1767). In 1650, Frederick III appointed his son Morten Finckas his successor.

Gallery

File:Christian 4's chapel, Roskilde cathedral, Denmark.jpg, Christian IV's Cjapel, Toskilde Cathedral File:Aussichtsplattform des Rundetaarn (3612914129).jpg, The observation platform of the

in Copenhagen. File:Smedejernsgitter, 1649. Vor Frue Kirke, Nyborg.jpg, The door to Karen Krabbe's former chapel in the Church of Our Lady in Nyborg. File:AarhusDom-08-1.jpg, Door in Aarhus Cathedral.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fincke, Caspar 17th-century Danish artisans Danish metalsmiths 1584 births 1655 deaths