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Old Royal Collection

No other state collection of gems and jewelry pretends to contain the enormously valuable objects found in the “big three.” Judging by historic, aesthetic, and artistic standards, however, there are state treasures just as important—so many in fact that several volumes of description  wedding bands would be needed to do them justice. Vienna, Copenhagen, Munich, Dresden, and many other European cities, large and small, have exciting treasure vaults. Almost every city or cathedral has some sort of gem treasure established by the largess of nobility or royalty.

Hard by the Botanical Gardens of Copenhagen across 0ster Voldgade, lies the Kongens Have—the King’s Garden—in which sits the lovely fairy-story palace of Rosenborg. Started in 1606 by King Christian IV, and substantially completed by 1633, it has been an extremely pleasant abode for a succession of kings named Christian and Frederick. King Christian VII was actually the last to live there, if only temporarily, while the English fleet was attacking in 1801. Now the building, retaining all its original beauty and charm, is a museum housing the “old Royal Collection of art and curiosities.” Among these objects are the state jewels, a fine but modest collection which hasn’t been needed since the coronation of Christian VIII in 1840.

Though few, the crowns are exquisite. There is the Christian IV Crown, made in 1596, which is a marvelous, many-pointed, open and airy fantasy of gold and bright-colored enamels in which are set pearls and diamonds. It served for the coronation of two kings—Christian IV and his son Frederick III. King Christian V had his own crown made when he became the first absolute monarch of Denmark in 1671. All told, this new crown served four Christians and three Fredericks until Denmark’s new constitution went into effect. The crown is designed somewhat in the English style, with eight arching diadems rising to the top, which bears a blue enameled orb and diamond wedding bands cross. Smaller diamonds are used for trim, but the outstanding gems in the piece are two large ruby spinels and two large, deep-blue sapphires set front and back in the circlet.