The throne is considered one of the symbols of royal power. In the old days, some monarchs sat on a richly decorated chair, while others were comfortable with an almost ordinary chair. Whatever it was, but no one had any doubts about the power of the one who occupied the throne. This review contains the most iconic and significant thrones in history, clearly demonstrating the character of the monarchs who sat on them.
1. "Throne of the unicorn" (Denmark)
Of course, any king or emperor can order a throne made of gold or expensive marble, but this throne is unique. The seat of the monarchs of Denmark is inlaid with a unicorn horn and is guarded by three life-size silver lions. They are designed to evoke associations with the throne of King Solomon, which was guarded by 12 predators at once. Nowadays, everyone already knows that unicorns do not exist, and instead of them, as it turned out, the tusks of sea animals narwhals were used.
Christian VIII and Caroline Amalia, with Christian on the throne. Joseph-Désiré Court, 1841. | Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
oronation chair of Danish monarchs was used from 1671 to 1840 | Photo: en.wikipedia.org
2. Chair of King Edward (Great Britain)
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The armchair of King Edward of England is now kept in Westminster Abbey. This coronation throne looks dull. It was made of oak specifically for the coronation of Edward I the Long-Legs in 1296. Under the seat there is a cavity in which the Skun's stone is embedded - a symbolic war trophy. It is a sacred relic of Scotland, a 152 kilogram stone block on which its monarchs swore allegiance. England and Scotland have not been at war for many centuries, and the stone “travels” between London and Edinburgh at a ceremony, the last of which is the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953.
King Edward's armchair at Westminster Abbey and its 1855 drawing. | Photo: en.wikipedia.org
Replica of the Skunk Stone near a chapel in Scotland. | Photo: flickr.com
3. Marble throne (Persia)
The Marble Throne in Tehran (Iran) is an amazing sculpture consisting of 65 stone components. Men, women and magical creatures support the platform where the Shah, ruler of Persia, sat. Around the throne, the entire Golestan Palace ("Palace of Roses") is decorated with marble, mirrors, paintings, frescoes, tiles and wood carvings. The impressive residence of the Persian monarchs was built between 1747 and 1751.
Marble throne. | Photo: en.wikipedia.org
The marble throne in the hall of mirrors of the Golestan Palace. | Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
4. Throne of Charlemagne (Germany)
The throne of Charlemagne was made by his order in the 790s. Since then, he has been in the palace chapel in the cathedral in Aachen (Germany). The coronations of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were held here for 600 years. Even with its stone plinth, Charles's throne does not look very impressive. Nevertheless, the throne rises for a reason. A passage is made under it so that the subjects can bend low or crawl, showing their respect to the monarch. The steps and marble decorations are said to have been taken from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.
Royal throne in the palace chapel in Aachen Cathedral. | Photo: en.wikipedia.org
See of Charlemagne in the cathedral of Aachen. | Photo: en.wikipedia.org
5. Throne of the Third Heaven of the General Assembly of the Millennium of Nations (USA)
It turns out that you don't have to be a crowned person to have your own throne. A quiet, modest bespectacled man, American manager James Hampton, in fourteen years, from 1950 to 1964, built the Throne of the Third Heaven of the General Assembly of the Millennium of Nations in a garage. It consists of many elements, the creation of which consisted of light bulbs, foil, metal from coffee cans, cardboard and shards of mirrors. You can consider this creation as an outsider art or as a religious object. In any case, Hampton was preparing for the return of Christ to earth and created his own cult, consisting of one person. Today, the hermit's legacy is preserved in the Smithsonian Museum of American Art (Washington).
Throne of the Third Heaven of the General Assembly of the Millennium of Nations at the Smithsonian Museum. | Photo: tanjand.livejournal.com
Element of the throne of James Hampton. | Photo: tanjand.livejournal.com
Crown of American James Hampton. | Photo: tanjand.livejournal.com
