Apostle cup from the property of King Frederick V of Denmark
This extraordinary apostle cup combines royal representation with masterful goldsmithing. The hexagonal faceted silver cup is fully gilded and has finely engraved depictions of the apostles all around: St. Paul, St. Philip, St. Andrew, St. John, St. Matthew and St. Simon. Each figure is individually carved, with individual postures, expressive faces and richly detailed folds in the robes - an impressive testimony to the highest art of engraving of its time.
The depictions of the apostles are not just a decorative element, but lend the cup a symbolic depth: they refer to faith, order and the divine legitimization of secular rule - central leitmotifs of monarchical self-expression in the 18th century.
A glance at the base of the cup reveals the silver hallmarks, which attest to both the quality of the material and the place of manufacture. They identify the cup as the work of a Lübeck silversmith - a city that was famous far beyond the borders of northern Germany at the time for its outstanding gold and silversmithing skills.
The Apostle's Cup is therefore not only a precious utilitarian object from royal property, but also an art-historically significant testimony to courtly culture, perfect craftsmanship and religious symbolism. An object that impressively combines power, faith and art.
Hymnal of Queen Caroline Mathilde of Denmark
This hymnal is far more than just a utilitarian object - it is a silent witness to royal piety and personal devotion. It belonged to Caroline Mathilde of Denmark (1751-1775), the wife of King Christian VII and one of the most tragic figures of the 18th century European monarchy. The precious book is bound in fine leather and decorated with elaborate silver fittings. In the center of the ornate metalwork are the queen's initials, which clearly identify the exclusive possession.
A richly executed gilt edge and deeply embossed floral ornamentation along the edges of the book emphasize the prestigious character of this hymnal. Such luxurious designs were reserved exclusively for the highest nobility and reflect the rank as well as the aesthetic standards of their owner.
The almost mint condition of the exhibit is remarkable. The hymnal was carefully stored in its slipcase for decades and thus escaped the traces of intensive use - a rarity for personal devotional books of this period.
Caroline Mathilde is also closely linked to the history of Glücksburg Castle through the dynastic line of her daughter Luise Auguste of Denmark, who became Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg by marriage: Luise Auguste was the great-grandmother of the last German Empress Auguste Victoria. This hymnal thus combines personal piety, courtly artistry and European dynastic history in an extraordinary testimony.
Royal splendor: fans from the estate of Queen Luise of Prussia
This extraordinary fan once belonged to Queen Luise of Prussia - one of the most popular and influential monarchs of her time. She once received it together with a magnificent dress as a gift from Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte himself. The elaborately crafted top bars are made of high-carat gold and are set with fine pearls. The delicate fan blade made of wafer-thin silk is richly decorated with countless golden sequins - a masterpiece that impressively combines the delicate craftsmanship of a fan maker and goldsmith.
Queen Luise cultivated an exquisite collection of fans - but only two pieces have survived the test of time. While one of these rare works of art is now kept in the German Historical Museum in Berlin, you can marvel at the second precious specimen here with your own eyes. A unique testimony to royal elegance and the finest craftsmanship.
"Bird figures"
Two table decorations from around 1882 in the form of silver bird figurines, artfully enameled and set with precious stones. The bases of the figurines consist of alternating rose quartz and amethyst. The gemstones are made up of numerous rubies, emeralds and sapphires. The ensemble comes from the estate and collection of Empress Victoria, the wife of Emperor Frederick III. The imperial couple were the parents of the last German emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Salt bowl from the estate of Kaiser Wilhelm II of H.M. Yacht Hohenzollern.
This exhibit is a silver work by the court jeweler Sy & Wagner in Berlin, which was made exclusively for the emperor. It consists of a large natural amber on which a salt bowl in the shape of a boat is enthroned, in which the sea god Neptune sits with his legendary trident. The front of the amber is adorned with the crowned initials of the emperor, symbolizing his private ownership.
The yacht Hohenzollern often docked in Flensburg, often carrying Empress Auguste Victoria to visit her sister Caroline Mathilde Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg at Glücksburg Castle.
Guestbook of the Empress Feodorovna:
The entries in the guest book of Empress Feodorovna, wife of Tsar Alexander III, offer fascinating insights into her travels through Europe and her visits to royal relatives. One particularly remarkable entry documents her stay with her sister Alexandra, Queen of England, at Buckingham Palace. These entries bear witness to the close relationship between the sisters and the political and social connections between the European royal houses.
Also of great importance are the numerous entries from Copenhagen, which record her visits to her father, King Christian IX of Denmark, at Amalienborg Palace and at Frederiksborg Palace with her brother Frederick VII. These entries illustrate the close family ties and the role of the empress in the Danish monarchy.
Another highlight of the guest book are the entries at Bernsdorff Palace, where the Empress visited her brother Waldemar of Denmark. These entries illustrate not only the family network, but also the cultural and social interactions of the European aristocracy.
Empress Auguste Victoria's hairdressing set
Empress Auguste Victoria's hairdressing set consisting of four brushes and a hand mirror. Exquisite design made of translucent enameled silver by the court jeweler Sy & Wagner in Berlin. On the back of each object are the crowned initials of the Empress, emphasizing her personal possessions. This set was a constant companion of the Empress in the evening and in the morning and its workmanship reflects the attention to detail of the Belle Époque.
Personal writing portfolio of Empress Auguste Victoria
Our exhibit of the month is the personal writing case of Empress Auguste Victoria. This writing case was always an important companion of the empress and was always present during her visit to Glücksburg Castle. Numerous letters from the empress in the castle archives bear witness to the many hours she spent using it. The exhibit is specially made of cut leather and fine dark blue velvet on which the crowned initials of the empress are applied in gold and silver.
Only a few examples of European sovereigns have survived over time and are considered extremely rare.
The throne of Prince Albrecht of Prussia, Prince Regent of Brunswick
Due to its size, this time our exhibit of the month for October is not in the display case on the first floor as usual, but in the Tower on the History of the German-Danish War of 1864 on the 2nd floor. It is the throne of Prince Albrecht of Prussia, Prince Regent of Brunswick. He ruled Brunswick from 1885 to 1906. Otto von Bismarck had previously intervened to prevent Ernst August von Cumberland (Hanover) from succeeding to the throne.
Prince Albrecht was the nephew of Emperor William I and King Frederick William IV of Prussia. He joined the Prussian army in 1847 and took part in the campaigns of Schleswig in 1864 and Königgrätz in 1866 together with Prince Friedrich Carl. In the years that followed, he continued to make a name for himself in the military.
In 1885, the Brunswick state assembly elected him regent of the Duchy of Brunswick. The design of the throne with the Prussian eagle, which was specially made for him, once again illustrated the influence of Prussia at that time.
Hand-painted fan made of the finest silk from the possessions of the last German empress
The exhibit of the month for September is a hand-painted fan made of the finest silk from the estate of the last German empress. This unique work of art bears the golden initials of Auguste Victoria, the rods are made of mother-of-pearl, which was difficult to obtain in this size and very costly to work. The workmanship of the fan is very delicate and filigree, which is one reason why only a few well-preserved examples from that time still exist today.
Folding fans first arrived in Europe in the early 16th century with the expansion of maritime trade from China and quickly established themselves as a status symbol for aristocratic ladies. Fan fashion reached its peak in the 18th century. There were around 500 fan manufacturers in Paris at the time, who made the accessories from the most valuable materials. A kind of fan language even developed, which made it possible to communicate non-verbally with the opposite sex and avoid being caught flirting, especially in the 19th century when morals were strict.
Our exhibit of the month for August is a very special coin tray. The last German Emperor Wilhelm II and his wife Auguste Victoria received this as a gift from the regiment's officers in 1891 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hussar Regiment of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, King of Hungary (Schleswig-Holstein) No. 16. The oval silver tray was made by the court jeweler Friedländer in Berlin, it is 48 centimetres long and 36 centimetres high.
The more than forty coins and medals were blasted into the silversmith's work using a special process; no soldering was used for the setting. The pieces date from different periods of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The only square coin, for example, is a so-called Mecklenburg cliff. Cliffs are square coins that were often minted as commemorative coins made of silver and gold from the 17th century onwards.
While coin trays were rarely produced at the time, coin jars were much more popular. One reason for this will certainly have been their practical use.
Meissen porcelain table mirror of the Danish Queen Louise
Mirror, mirror... Fairytale is just one of the many adjectives that fit our exhibit of the month for July. No wonder, because the richly decorated easel table mirror made of Meissen porcelain is a unique piece that was made for the Danish Queen Louise, the wife of King Christian IX. The porcelain frame is elaborately decorated with applied, fully sculpted, polychrome-painted flowers. Above the cartouche held by angels is a silver crown.
The initial of the queen contained in the cartouche consists of small speedwell blossoms, which appear to have originated from the hands of the applied putti, as does the wreath of flowers surrounding the "L". Louise's husband Christian IX was a prince from the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. Due to the marriage policy pursued by the royal couple, Christian IX is still regarded today as the father-in-law of Europe. Their six children married into other reigning royal families in Europe, creating an extensive network of family relationships. Queen Louise is the great-great-great-grandmother of Queen Margarethe II of Denmark and King Harald V of Norway, as well as the great-great-great-grandmother of King Charles III of England.
The nightcap of the last German empress
Our exhibit of the month for June comes from the Belle Époche. It is a sleeping hood from the estate of the last German empress. This rare sleeping accessory was made especially for Auguste Victoria around 1900. It is made of high-quality silk and Brussels lace. The inner lining of the bonnet consists of a specially lined and very soft wool fabric, which considerably improved sleeping comfort and at the same time protected against disturbing noises.
The empress often spent the night at Schloss Glücksburg, as she liked to spend her summer vacation here with her sister Duchess Caroline Mathilde zu Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. Emperor Wilhelm II was more drawn to the water: according to tradition, he preferred to spend his free time on his yacht "Hohenzollern" on the Flensburg Fjord when on vacation in Schleswig-Holstein.
Ivory toiletry bag from the possessions of Empress Elisabeth of Austria
The exhibit of the month for May is an ivory toiletry bag from the estate of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi. She received the beautiful ensemble as a gift from Queen Elisabeth Ludovika of Prussia, a Princess of Bavaria by birth. She was the wife of the Prussian King Frederick William IV and Sisi's godmother. Since the 18th century, necessaires were small containers used to store sewing materials or hygiene articles.
The solid ivory case of the exhibit bears the crowned initial of the empress inlaid in gold. Inside is an elaborately crafted interior, embedded in an inlay cut out for this purpose, which is also made of ivory. The thimble, scissors, pin quiver (in the shape of Cupid's arrow quiver), gold pin and punch pin are made of high-carat gold.
The necklace owned by Dagmar of Denmark
Our first exhibit of the month is this wonderful necklace from the estate of Dagmar of Denmark (1847-1928). She was the daughter of the Danish King Christian IX and later the wife of the Russian Tsar Alexander III. The necklace consists of several parts. The tsar's crown and pendant are detachable, whereby the latter can also be worn as a brooch. The brooch is so-called mourning jewelry, as indicated by the black enamel artfully worked into the mourning bow.
Brooches of this type were extremely popular in the 19th century. Many ladies wore such jewelry as a sign of mourning. Dagmar used the brooch to express her grief for her husband Tsar Alexander III, who died in 1894. The necklace is made of high-quality gold and is set with numerous diamonds, rubies and pearls. Take a guess: how many carats are the diamonds in the necklace in total? Solution: The 88 diamonds in the necklace have a total weight of 18 carats.
