Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Drop by the case on the wall in the back-left of the room: The 17th century
was the age of
brooches.
Many of these are made of freshwater pearls. Find
the fancy combination toothpick and ear spoon (#4140). Look for #4146: A
queen was caught having an affair after 22 years of royal marriage. Her king
gave her a special present: a golden ring—showing the hand of his promiscu-
ous queen shaking hands with a penis.
Step downstairs, away from all this silliness. Passing through the serious
vault door, you come face-to-face with a big, jeweled
sword.
The tall, two-
handed, 16th-century coronation sword was drawn by the new king, who cut
crosses in the air in four directions, symbolically promising to defend the
realm from all attacks. The cases surrounding the sword contain everyday
items used by the king (all solid gold, of course). What looks like a trophy
caseofgoldrecordsisactuallyacollectionofdinnerplateswithambercenters
(#5032).
Go down the steps. In the center case is Christian IV's
coronation crown
(from 1596, seven pounds of gold and precious stones, #5124), which some
consider to be the finest Renaissance crown in Europe. Its six tallest gables
radiate symbolism. Find the symbols of justice (sword and scales), fortitude
(a woman on a lion with a sword), and charity (a nursing woman—meaning
the king will love God and his people as a mother loves her child). The pelic-
an, which according to medieval legend pecks its own flesh to feed its young,
symbolizes God sacrificing his son, just as the king would make great sacri-
fices for his people. Climb the footstool to look inside—it's as exquisite as
the outside. The shields of various Danish provinces remind the king that he's
surrounded by his realms.
