Details
A DANISH GOLD AND CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL REPLICA OF QUEEN DAGMAR'S CROSS
The Byzantine style hinged cross with lobed arms enamelled one side with Christ crucified, the other with vignettes of Christ flanked by the Virgin Mary and St. John, with St. Basil above and St. John Chrysostom below, the interior with small memorial compartment and engaved name 'Vilhelmine Colbjornsen' and dates 1803-1908', with beaded suspension loop, by Jules Didrichsen of Copenhagen, circa 1863, 3.8cm. overall height, in original fitted case with retailer's name Michelsen, Copenhagen
Provenance: Presented by Queen Caroline Amalie to her lady-in-waiting Vilhelmine Colbjornsen, then by descent to the present owners
Copied from a Byzantine relic of the True Cross, found circa 1690 in the tomb of Queen Dagmar, buried in Ringsted Cathedral in 1212, consort of Waldemar II of Denmark. A similar example suspended from a pearl and diamond necklace by Didrichsen was presented to Queen Alexandra on her wedding day in 1863 by Frederick VII of Denmark. Accompanying paperwork indicates that a further four replicas were distributed by Frederick VII to Dowager Queen Caroline Amalie, Princess Dagmar, later Czarina of Russia, Princess Louise of Siveren, later Queen of Denmark. S. Bury, Victorian Jewellery 1789-1910, vol.II, 1991, p.501 states 'The cross appealed to English antiquarian instincts and James Wheeler of Poultry in the City of London registered the design on 1 June, 1863, publishing an explanatory booklet. Several reproduction crosses have come to light, one at least bearing a Registry Mark'.
The Byzantine style hinged cross with lobed arms enamelled one side with Christ crucified, the other with vignettes of Christ flanked by the Virgin Mary and St. John, with St. Basil above and St. John Chrysostom below, the interior with small memorial compartment and engaved name 'Vilhelmine Colbjornsen' and dates 1803-1908', with beaded suspension loop, by Jules Didrichsen of Copenhagen, circa 1863, 3.8cm. overall height, in original fitted case with retailer's name Michelsen, Copenhagen
Provenance: Presented by Queen Caroline Amalie to her lady-in-waiting Vilhelmine Colbjornsen, then by descent to the present owners
Copied from a Byzantine relic of the True Cross, found circa 1690 in the tomb of Queen Dagmar, buried in Ringsted Cathedral in 1212, consort of Waldemar II of Denmark. A similar example suspended from a pearl and diamond necklace by Didrichsen was presented to Queen Alexandra on her wedding day in 1863 by Frederick VII of Denmark. Accompanying paperwork indicates that a further four replicas were distributed by Frederick VII to Dowager Queen Caroline Amalie, Princess Dagmar, later Czarina of Russia, Princess Louise of Siveren, later Queen of Denmark. S. Bury, Victorian Jewellery 1789-1910, vol.II, 1991, p.501 states 'The cross appealed to English antiquarian instincts and James Wheeler of Poultry in the City of London registered the design on 1 June, 1863, publishing an explanatory booklet. Several reproduction crosses have come to light, one at least bearing a Registry Mark'.