“Ærespokal for danske søhelte”. Honorary trophy for the Danish naval heroes. An impressive parcel-gilt silver trophy illustrating the Danish naval history, gilt interior. The cover with Christian IV (1577–1648) and four dragons, engraved with four cartouches with maritime scenes from:
“Skanderborg”. Christian IV received his maritime education at Skanderborg Lake approx. 1595. “Holmen”. Christian IV established large parts of Holmen for building warships 1598–1604. “Nordcap”. Christian IV on a summer trip to Nordkap 1599. “Kolberger Heide”. Battle of Kolberger Heide 1 July 1644. Danish navy under the command of Christian IV and Swedish navy under the command of Claes Fleming.
The cup with the Danish naval heroes and their coat of arms:
Naval Officer Søren Norby (approx. 1460/1480–1530), the navy's first naval hero. Played a key part in several naval battles against Sweden and Lübeck. Admiral Peder Skram (approx. 1503–1581), the Battle of Svendborgsund in 1535. Admiral Herluf Trolle (approx. 1516–1565), the Battle of Öland in 1564. Admiral Otte Knudsen Rud (1520–1565), the Battle of Bornholm in 1565. Admiral Niels Juel (1629–1697), the Battle of Öland in 1676 and the Battle of Køge Bay in 1710. Commander Ivar Huitfeldt (1665–1710), the Battle of Køge Bay in 1710. Vice Admiral Christian Carl Gabel (1679–1748), the Battle of Kolberger Heide in 1715. Peter Wessel Tordenskiold (1690–1720), Battle of Dynekilen 1716.
Standing in arches with cannon barrels with royal monograms and cannon balls. The stem with four titans emerging from a globe, which rests on twisted tails rising from the four-sided base with mermen and seahorses and raised on four small mascaroon legs. On the inside, the cover is engraved “Prins Valdemar af Danmark, Til Erindring om Togtet til Østasien 1899–1900. Fra Østasiatisk Kompagni (ØK)” (Prince Valdemar of Denmark. Commemorating the journey to East Asia 1899–1900. From the East Asiatic Company. EAC). The base reverse signed Arent Nicolai Dragsted inv & fec 1890=1894. Maker Crown Jeweller Arent Nikolai Dragsted, Copenhagen 1890–1894. Weight 6776 gr. H. 67 cm.
Literature: Jon A.P. Gissel: Fra guldhorn til guldhorn. Fem generationers arbejde med guld, sølv og ædelstene. Firmaet A. Dragsted. Here depicted p. 159 and mentioned p. 167: “In 1894 A.N. Dragsted designed and produced a silver cup on the occasion of his 40th jubilee, almost three-quarters of a meter high, with motifs from Danish naval history. Christian IV stands at the top and there are statuettes of other Danish naval heroes. The work of the 7 kg heavy cup took four years. It has not been possible to clarify whether the cup still exists. The national history subject and the complete decorative style sparked resonance in the present time and showed what A.N. Dragsted was good at ”.
In the years 1899–1900, the corvette Valkyrien made a trip to East Asia with Prince Valdemar on board as commander. The mission was financed by EAC and the Great Nordic Telegraph Company. Later Prince Axel, son of Prince Valdemar, was the director of the EAC 1934–1953. He had the trophy exhibited in his office.
Provenance: East Asiatic Company's main office in Copenhagen.
Condition report on request. Please contact varia@bruun-rasmussen.dk
Varia, funiture & carpets, 31 May 2017
Not sold