![Coronation Chair Denmark (King)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Coronation_Chair_Denmark_%28King%29.jpg)
The Coronation Chair of Denmark (
Danish
Danish may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to the country of Denmark
People
* A national or citizen of Denmark, also called a "Dane," see Demographics of Denmark
* Culture of Denmark
* Danish people or Danes, people with a Danish a ...
and no, Danmarks tronstol; also: , ) is the chair formerly used in the
coronation of the Danish monarch
The coronation of the Danish monarch was a religious ceremony in which the accession of the Danish monarch was marked by a coronation ceremony. It was held in various forms from 1170 to 1840, mostly in Lund Cathedral in Lund, St. Mary's Cathedra ...
.
According to legend, the Coronation Chair is made of the
horn
Horn most often refers to:
*Horn (acoustic), a conical or bell shaped aperture used to guide sound
** Horn (instrument), collective name for tube-shaped wind musical instruments
*Horn (anatomy), a pointed, bony projection on the head of various ...
of
unicorn
The unicorn is a legendary creature that has been described since antiquity as a beast with a single large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead.
In European literature and art, the unicorn has for the last thousand years o ...
s. In reality, it is made from Norwegian
narwhal
The narwhal, also known as a narwhale (''Monodon monoceros''), is a medium-sized toothed whale that possesses a large "tusk" from a protruding canine tooth. It lives year-round in the Arctic waters around Greenland, Canada and Russia. It is o ...
tusk
Tusks are elongated, continuously growing front teeth that protrude well beyond the mouth of certain mammal species. They are most commonly canine teeth, as with pigs and walruses, or, in the case of elephants, elongated incisors. Tusks share c ...
s. It is guarded by three life-size
silver
Silver is a chemical element with the Symbol (chemistry), symbol Ag (from the Latin ', derived from the Proto-Indo-European wikt:Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-European/h₂erǵ-, ''h₂erǵ'': "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, whi ...
lion
The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large Felidae, cat of the genus ''Panthera'' native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; short, rounded head; round ears; and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. It is sexually dimorphi ...
s, based on Biblical references, and was a symbol of the
absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy (or Absolutism as a doctrine) is a form of monarchy in which the monarch rules in their own right or power. In an absolute monarchy, the king or queen is by no means limited and has absolute power, though a limited constitut ...
of the
Twin Kingdoms.
The Coronation Chair is located in the
Castle of Rosenborg in
Copenhagen
Copenhagen ( or .; da, København ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a proper population of around 815.000 in the last quarter of 2022; and some 1.370,000 in the urban area; and the wider Copenhagen metropolitan ar ...
.
History
![Cataphalqve over vores Høystsalige Konge Friderich den Femte object161](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2a/Cataphalqve_over_vores_H%C3%B8ystsalige_Konge_Friderich_den_Femte_object161.jpg)
Following the 1660 introduction of
absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy (or Absolutism as a doctrine) is a form of monarchy in which the monarch rules in their own right or power. In an absolute monarchy, the king or queen is by no means limited and has absolute power, though a limited constitut ...
in
Denmark
)
, song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast")
, song_type = National and royal anthem
, image_map = EU-Denmark.svg
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark
...
and
Norway
Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...
, King
Frederick III (r. 1648–1670) ordered a
coronation chair
The Coronation Chair, known historically as St Edward's Chair or King Edward's Chair, is an ancient wooden chair on which British monarchs sit when they are invested with regalia and crowned at their coronations. It was commissioned in 1296 by ...
to be created. The Coronation Chair was made between 1662 and 1671 by
Bendix Grodtschilling
Bendix Grodtschilling, also Bendix Grodtschilling the Elder, (c. 1620 – March 1690) was a Danish painter and carpenter.
Early life
Grodtschilling was born in Holstein (probably in Itzehoe), where he worked in his capacity as a skilled ...
.
[The Danish Royal Collections]
Coronation chair, King
/ref> During the reign of King Christian V (r. 1670–1699), gilt figures were added to the chair.
Both the Coronation Chair and the silver lions were inspired by the Biblical
The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts of a ...
throne of Solomon
The Throne of Solomon is the throne of King Solomon in the Hebrew Bible, and is a motif in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The throne as Solomon's seat of state is described in 1 Kings 10:
Hebrew Bible
The term "throne" is used both litera ...
, which was guarded by fourteen lions, as described in I Kings 10:
The Coronation Chair was used at coronations between 1671, for Christian V, and 1840. When absolute monarchy was replaced by constitutional monarchy
A constitutional monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not alone in decision making. Constitutional monarchies dif ...
in 1849, kings were no longer crowned or anointed
Anointing is the ritual act of pouring aromatic oil over a person's head or entire body.
By extension, the term is also applied to related acts of sprinkling, dousing, or smearing a person or object with any perfumed oil, milk, butter, or oth ...
, whereupon the Coronation Chair lost its practical function.
Lions
The Coronation Chair is guarded by three lion
The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large Felidae, cat of the genus ''Panthera'' native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; short, rounded head; round ears; and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. It is sexually dimorphi ...
s of silver
Silver is a chemical element with the Symbol (chemistry), symbol Ag (from the Latin ', derived from the Proto-Indo-European wikt:Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-European/h₂erǵ-, ''h₂erǵ'': "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, whi ...
. They are the same size as natural lions, and each weighs 130 kilos. Their eyes, manes, and rumps are covered with pure gold. They were made between 1665 and 1670 by Ferdinand Kübich.[The Danish Royal Collections]
Silver lions
/ref>
The silver lions are still used outside Rosenborg, mainly when protecting the ''castrum doloris
Castrum doloris (Latin for ''castle of grief'') is a name for the structure and decorations sheltering or accompanying the catafalque or bier that signify the prestige or high estate of the deceased. A ''castrum doloris'' might feature an elabora ...
'' of kings.
In art
On 20 November 1905, when delegates of the Norwegian parliament
The Storting ( no, Stortinget ) (lit. the Great Thing) is the supreme legislature of Norway, established in 1814 by the Constitution of Norway. It is located in Oslo. The unicameral parliament has 169 members and is elected every four years base ...
entered the Christian VII Palace in Copenhagen
Copenhagen ( or .; da, København ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a proper population of around 815.000 in the last quarter of 2022; and some 1.370,000 in the urban area; and the wider Copenhagen metropolitan ar ...
in order to offer the throne of Norway to Prince Carl, they were met—and stopped—by the lions. This moment was immortalized by photographer Peter Elfelt
Peter Elfelt (1 January 1866 – 18 February 1931) was a Denmark, Danish photographer and film director known as the first movie pioneer in Denmark when he began making documentary films in 1897.
Biography
Peter Elfelt was born Peter Lars Pete ...
. Based on Elfelt's photograph, painter Paul Fischer made a famous painting. Several versions of this painting have existed, and one is included in the art collections in the Castle of Oslo.The delegates of the Norwegian parliament in 1905, The Museum of National History at Frederiksborg Palace
/ref>
The three silver lions are seen in one of Bjørn Nørgaard
Bjørn Nørgaard (born 21 May 1947 in Copenhagen) is a Danish artist who has been active in a variety of fields. He has significantly influenced the art scene in Denmark both through his "happenings" and his sculptures in Danish cities. Althou ...
's chronological tapestries ("Early Absolutism") in Christiansborg Palace
Christiansborg Palace ( da, Christiansborg Slot; ) is a palace and government building on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It is the seat of the Danish Parliament ('), the Danish Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme ...
. They are also seen in Michael Melbyes's portrait of Margrethe II
Margrethe II (; Margrethe Alexandrine Þórhildur Ingrid, born 16 April 1940) is Queen of Denmark. Having reigned as Denmark's monarch for over 50 years, she is Europe's longest-serving current head of state and the world's only incumbent femal ...
in Christiansborg Palace.
Gallery
File:Frederik vi in coronationrobes1830.jpg, The Coronation Chair and King Frederick VI.
By Wilhelm Bendz
Wilhelm Ferdinand Bendz (20 March 1804 – 14 November 1832) was a Danish painter mainly known for genre works and portraits which often portray his artist colleagues and their daily lives. He was one of the most talented artists in the successful ...
(1830)
File:Christian VIII og Caroline Amalie i salvingsdragt.jpg, The Coronation Chair and the silver lions at the 1841 coronation of King Christian VIII, by Joseph-Désiré Court
Joseph-Désiré Court (14 September 1797, Rouen – 23 January 1865, Paris) was a French painter of historical subjects and portraits.
Life and work
He was a descendant of the portrait painter, Hyacinthe Rigaud, and displayed an early interest i ...
(1841)
File:Anointing og Christian V of Denmark 1671.jpg, The 1671 anointing of King Christian V
Christian V (15 April 1646 25 August 1699) was king of Denmark and Norway from 1670 until his death in 1699.
Well-regarded by the common people, he was the first king anointed at Frederiksborg Castle chapel as absolute monarch since the decree ...
By Michael von Haven (1671)
File:Anointment of Frederick VI of Denmark.jpg, The 1815 anointing of King Frederick VI.
By unknown (1815)
See also
* Thrones of Norway
* Monarchy of Denmark
The monarchy of Denmark is a constitutional institution and a historic office of the Kingdom of Denmark. The Kingdom includes Denmark proper and the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland. The Kingdom of Denmark was alre ...
* Monarchy of Norway
The Norwegian monarch is the head of state of Norway, which is a constitutional and hereditary monarchy with a parliamentary system. The Norwegian monarchy can trace its line back to the reign of Harald Fairhair and the previous petty kingdoms ...
References
Sources
* {{cite journal , last=Hein , first=Jørgen , title=En trone af enhjørninghorn og løver av sølv , trans-title=A Throne of Unicorn Horn and Lions of Silver , url=http://www.sidensaxo.dk/fileadmin/saxo-abstract-uploads/en_trone_af_enhjoerninghorn_og_loever_af_soelv_2006_2.pdf , journal=Siden Saxo , issue=2 , publisher=Statens IT , language=Danish , date=2006 , pages=39–45 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325064128/http://www.sidensaxo.dk/fileadmin/saxo-abstract-uploads/en_trone_af_enhjoerninghorn_og_loever_af_soelv_2006_2.pdf , access-date=4 January 2021, archive-date=2014-03-25
Individual thrones
Danish monarchy
Norwegian monarchy