The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgOnyx cameo

Onyx cameo

Onyx cameo depicting The Landing of Noah’s Ark; made in Milan 1575-1600. Mounted as a pendant in enamelled gold. On the back a crowned K for Kirsten Munk. Confiscated from her daughter, Leonora Christina, by Frederik III.

Relations

Landgrave Carl of Hesse

Portrait of Landgrave Carl of Hesse. The relief is made in crystal, onyx, cornelian and other minerals, on a base of agate.

Oil pitcher

Oil pitcher (lekytos) made in onyx. Belonged to Leonora Christina. The gold mounting is probably from the 17th century, but the pitcher is possibly Roman, 1st century AD.

Leonora Christina

Princess Leonora Christina was the daughter of Christian IV and Kirsten Munk. In 1636 she was married to Corfitz Ulfeldt.Leonora Christina was a favourite of Christian IV.

Kirsten Munk

In 1615 Kirsten Munk became the second wife of Christian IV. She was the daughter of Ludvig Munk and Ellen Marsvin. She and the King had twelve children, of which eight survived.

1575-1600

This period was not only the end of a century but also the last part of an period of prosperity. It was also a time of peace, with a pause in the otherwise regular wars with Sweden.

Frederik III

Frederik III was the King of Denmark-Norway from 1648; he was married to Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg in 1643 and father to Christian V.