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Rosenborg Castle
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Photo: Lennart Larsen
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The Royal Danish Collections at Rosenborg Castle All Danes are familiar with Christian IV's blood-stained handkerchief at the Rosenborg Castle. The kings' costumes from the 1600s and 1700s are the focal point of Rosenborg's unique collection of royal garments. There are about 1,000 objects, including many well-preserved, whole sets of clothing as well as original accessories, coronation robes, uniforms and everyday clothes. Each garment belonged to a king or member of the royal family and every piece is well-documented. Most of the collection is (unusually) men's clothing, as the queens' wardrobes were generally divided between their servants and ladies-in-waiting and not preserved. Rosenborg's collection includes garments from Christian IV (1577-1644) to Frederik VII (1808-1863). The kings that followed, from the Glucksborg line beginning with Christian IX, are represented in the museum at the Amalienborg Palace. There interiors from 1863 until present day are on permanent display, often including garments from the respective royal wardrobes. www.rosenborgslot.dk Contact: Textile conservator Katia Johansen kj@dkks.dk The history of the collection Christian IV (1577-1648) was wounded in a sea battle against the arch enemy Sweden in 1644. His blood-stained clothing was saved and soon after transferred to his little castle Rosenborg outside the city walls, and was regularly shown to important visitors. Since Rosenborg Castle was opened as a museum to the public in 1838 these garments have been on permanent display, having changed status from costume to relics. Christian IV's son Frederik III (1609-70) collected art and established the royal collections and the Kunstkammer. The large number of garments having belonged to him are central to Rosenborg's fine collection of 17th century costume. Only Stockholm and Dresden have similarly early and well-documented costume collections. From Christian V's (1646-99) reign many ceremonial garments have been preserved, not only because of their historical value but also because the were both elegant and valuable, with gold embroidery, ermine and beautifully woven silk brocades. As the Royal family still bequeathes costume to the Royal Collections, they will in future continue to include both representative and ceremonial costume from the royal wardrobes. The Royal Collections are still the private property of the royal family, but have since 1838 been open to the public. |
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