Royal Baptismal Font (Denmark)
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The Royal Baptismal Font (Danish: den kongelige døbefont), also known as the Rosenborg Baptismal Font (Danish: Rosenborg-døbefonten), is a silver and partly silver-gilt baptismal font used at the baptismal services of members of the Danish royal family since 1671.[1] It is used together with the royal baptismal set made up by a basin, ewer and two candlesticks, all of solid gold. The baptismal font and baptismal set are part of the Royal Danish Collection and kept at Rosenborg Castle when not in use.
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| Royal Baptismal Font | |
|---|---|
The Royal Baptismal Font is used with the associated royal baptismal set, here on display at Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen. | |
| Material | Silver, partly silver-gilt |
| Created | c. 1660 |
| Present location | Rosenborg Castle |
Design
The Royal Baptismal Font was made by the silversmith Christian Mundt II in Hamburg and the foot by the silversmith Gödert Botstede around the year 1660.[2][3] The font is made from solid silver and partly giltet to give the appearance of gold. The bottom has a relief of the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist.[2]
The Royal Baptismal Font is used with the associated royal baptismal set, which consist of a basin, a ewer for baptismal water and two candlesticks, all of solid gold.[4] Like the baptismal font, it is also from Hamburg, probably made by the goldsmith Hinrich Lambrecht II around the year 1650.[4] Depicting the four seasons, the iconography of the basin lacks any religious meaning, indicating that the set was originally designed for another use than baptism.[3]
Use
The baptismal font has been used for the baptism of royal children in Denmark since 1671.[1] Its first use was for the baptism of Crown Prince Frederick, the later King Frederick IV of Denmark, on 11 October 1671 at Copenhagen Castle.[5] Its most recent use (by 2024) was at the baptism of Prince Joachim's youngest child, Princess Athena, on 20 May 2012 at Møgeltønder Church.[6]