Weapons and wine (room B)
The royal arms collection was founded here at Rosenborg. However, it was later moved to Christiansborg Palace, where most of it was lost during the fire in 1794. But what remains of the collection is now stored here in the basement along with the iconic Rosenborg wine.
Rosenborg's Arms Collection and Rosenborg Wine
Rosenborg's Arms Collection
Rosenborg's arms collection was originally founded by Frederik III. Later, Christian V, who had a great interest in weapons, significantly expanded the collection. He ensured that the weapons he used during the Scanian War of 1675-79 were preserved. In the 18th century, most of the weapons from Rosenborg's arms collection were moved to Christiansborg Palace, which was the main residence of the royal family. Unfortunately, most of them were lost in the fire of 1794, and the weapons exhibited today at Rosenborg Castle are just a fraction of the former glory.
If you stand right in front of the large display case, you can see the division of weapons. On the left are the ceremonial weapons, which combined technique with exquisite craftsmanship and precious materials. Ceremonial weapons were sought-after princely gifts in the 18th century. Often, the decorations on these ceremonial weapons include inscriptions for both the giver and the recipient. Therefore, today we know quite a bit about who received which ceremonial weapons from whom.
After the ceremonial weapons, the carousel weapons are gathered. Riding carousel became fashionable at Louis XIV's court in the 1660s and quickly gained popularity at other European courts. Riding carousel was a kind of tournament where the goal was to hit various objects with different weapons. Thus, the prince had an opportunity to show his skills as a rider and to display his magnificent weapons - often the participants also wore imaginative costumes.
After the carousel weapons, you can see the war weapons, several of which were used by Christian V. To the right of the war weapons, you can see the royal hunting weapons. Hunting was a privilege reserved for princes and nobility and was often staged with grand ceremonies.
Rosenborg Wine
If you stand with your back to the weapons display case, you can see a series of large wooden barrels. These barrels originally contained the so-called Rosenborg wine, which is white wine from the German Rhine region. The three oldest barrels of wine are from 1598, 1599, and 1615. These three barrels were actually taken by the Swedes as war booty during the war in 1659. But on the way to Stockholm, the wine was recaptured by a Danish privateer ship. A privateer ship was a private vessel that, with a letter of marque issued by the state, was allowed to capture enemy merchant ships.
In 1982, the old wooden barrels were unfortunately so worn that the wine was tapped into steel tanks and bottles. The wooden barrels here in the basement are therefore empty. But we still have the wine, and to this day, H.M. The King offers his guests a glass of Rosenborg wine at the traditional New Year's reception and on other very special occasions. The Rosenborg wine is said to taste like a very dry sherry.
Objects in the room
If you are physically at the museum, you can admire the outstanding objects and read more about them below.
Please note that these descriptions are brief and often without images. They serve as an additional resource for those who wish to gain more knowledge about each object, such as who created them, their origin, and significance.
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The Rosenborg Wine
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2550Antlers of a wounded stag to which, in 1698, Christian V gave the death blow. In its fall it knocked the King over and injured him.
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2551Wheel-lock magazine rifle, the barrel marked: Peter Kalthoff. The magazine system was planned as early as 1641, but it never actually functioned as intended. Frederik III’s crowned monogram added later. Flensburg, 1646.
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2552Flint-lock gun. The barrel stamped with the mark of Lazarino Cominazzo from Brescia, Italy. Belonged to Frederik III’s Queen Sophie Amalie, who was an enthusiastic huntswoman.
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2553Flint-lock gun. The lock marked: FRIDERICH OSTERMAN, COPENHAGEN. With Fredeik IV’s crowned monogram, Copenhagen 1700.
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2554Flint-lock rifle, marked: JOHAN WINTER COPENHAGEN. With Frederik IV’s crowned monogram. Probably a piece created to qualify the maker as royal armourer. Copenhagen c. 1720.
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2555Flint-lock gun, marked: V. MARR A COPENH. The barrel bears the stamp of Juan Santos, Madrid. Christian VI’s crowned monogram on the butt. Probably a gift from Queen Sophie Magdalene. Copenhagen 1742. Forms a pair with 2558.
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2556Flint-lock rifle, marked: I.M. Hoffmann a Suhl 1709. This little weapon was originally a gift to 10-year-old Crown Prince Christian (VI). Around 1730 a new lock was put on the rifle by A. Gebauer, and at the same time a cover of leather and velvet was mounted on the stock. The rifle was then used by Queen Sophie Magdalene.
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2557Flint-lock rifle. The lock marked: VALENTIN MARR COPENHAGEN. With Christian VI’s crowned monogram. Later equipped with a stock-cover of velvet, possibly when it was given to the King’s daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Louise. Copenhagen 1742.
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2558Flint-lock gun, marked: V. MARR A COPENH. The barrel bears the stamp of Juan Santos, Madrid. On the stock Sophie Magdalene’s crowned monogram. Probably a gift from Christian VI. Copenhagen 1742. Forms a pair with 2555.
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2559Double-barrelled flint-lock gun. The lock marked VALENTIN MARR A COPENHAGEN. With Crown Prince Frederik (V)’s crowned monogram. Copenhagen c. 1740.
