The Danish Coronation Chair

While we won’t see the new King Frederik X of Denmark using the Coronation Chair, it was used for coronations for nearly 200 years.

Legend has it that the throne is made of the horns of unicorns, but it was really made from narwhal tusks. The chair is guarded by three silver lions. Both the chair and the lions were inspired by the biblical throne of Solomon.

King Frederick III ordered the coronation chair after the absolute monarchy was introduced in Denmark and Norway. It was made between 1662 and 1671 by Bendix Grodtschilling. The gilt figures were added to the chair during the reign of his son, King Christian V.

The chair continued to be used until 1840, and the last monarch to use it was King Christian VIII of Denmark. Denmark became a constitutional monarchy in 1849, and the monarchs no longer received a coronation.

King Christian VIII and his wife, Caroline Amalie of Augustenborg (public domain)

The Coronation Chair is currently on display at Rosenborg Castle.