The Royal Baptismal Font and the Royal Christening Set
(from
kongehuset.dk)
The baptismal font was produced by the goldsmiths, Gödert Bodtstede and Christian Mundt II, in Hamburg about 1660. The font is made of silver and is partially gilt.
At the bottom of the font there is a relief of the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. Above, it shows God the Father and the Dove of the Holy Spirit.
Together with the baptismal font there is a christening set. It includes a christening basin, a water pitcher and two candlesticks, all of pure gold. The set was probably made about 1650 by the goldsmith Hinrich Lambrecht II of Hamburg. The decoration is of a non-religious nature. The basin, for example, shows scenes from the four seasons. Originally, the basin, pitcher and candlesticks may have been part of a dressing set.
The baptismal font and the christening set have been used for the christening of all Danish Royal Children since 1671. The first time the baptismal font and the christening set were used was on the occasion of the baptism of Crown Prince Frederik, later to become Frederik IV. He was the first crown prince to be baptised after the introduction of Absolute Monarchy in 1660. The establishment of Absolutism marked the beginning of Hereditary Monarchy in Denmark. It was therefore important to underline that the children who were christened in the Royal Baptismal Font would be included in the order of succession to the Throne. As a consequence of this, the name and date of baptism of the child were engraved on the back of the basin. As many as 22 christening ceremonies are recorded in the period 1671-1749. Then there was no more room, and a gold plate was attached to the back of the basin on which seven christening ceremonies are recorded from 1750 to 1795. Apparently, the tradition was then discontinued.
Originally, the baptismal font was placed at Copenhagen Castle, but was moved to Rosenborg Castle in 1720. By contrast, the christening set has always been kept at Rosenborg Castle. There, together with the Crown of the Absolutist Kings and the other Crown Regalia, the christening set was kept in the Old Regalia Room, which served as the Treasury during the period of Absolutism.
Today, the baptismal font is to be found in the Knights’ Hall at Rosenborg Castle, to the right of the throne, whereas the christening set is on display in the underground Treasury. A font-shaped transport box made of wood and leather belongs to the font. It was probably produced at the same time as the font and was repaired in 1748.
Royal christening ceremonies are not linked to any particular church. Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix were, for example, baptised in Fredensborg Palace Chapel in 1999, and Møgeltønder Church in 2002, respectively.
The first-born child of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will be baptised in Christiansborg Palace Chapel on 21 January 2006. This shows that there has always been a need to transport the font to various churches. However, wear and tear has taken its toll on the transport box, and it is not used any more. The transport box is kept at Rosenborg Castle, but is not on permanent display.
The Royal Christening Set
The Royal Baptismal Font
and for information on
Christianborg Palace Chapel, go
here
