Throne Chair of Denmark


The Throne Chair of Denmark is the physical representation of the Throne of the Kingdom of Denmark and of the Throne of the Kingdom of Norway.
According to legend, the Throne Chair is made of the horn of unicorns. In reality, it is made from Norwegian narwhal tusks. It is guarded by three life-size silver lions, based on Biblical references, and was a symbol of the absolute monarchy of the Twin Kingdoms.
The Throne Chair is located in the Castle of Rosenborg in Copenhagen.

History

Throne Chair

Following the 1660 introduction of absolute monarchy in Denmark and Norway, King Frederick III ordered a throne chair to be created. The Throne Chair was made between 1662 and 1671 by Bendix Grodtschilling. During the reign of King Christian V, gilt figures were added to the chair.
Both the Throne Chair and the silver lions were inspired by the Biblical Throne of King Solomon, which was guarded by twelve lions, as described in I Kings 10:
The Throne Chair was used at coronations between 1671 and 1840. When absolute monarchy was replaced by constitutional monarchy in 1849, kings were no longer crowned or anointed, whereupon the Throne Chair lost its practical function.
Even though Norway was formally an independent realm with its own throne, Denmark's Throne Chair was de facto also Norway's until 1814.

Lions

The Throne Chair is guarded by three lions of silver. 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.
On 20 November 1905, when delegates of the Norwegian parliament entered the Christian VII Palace in Copenhagen 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. 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 silver lions are still used outside Rosenborg, mainly when protecting the castrum doloris of kings.

Gallery

Literature