Posted 12 years ago
Rogueroman
(96 items)
I have this unique and quite wonderful old chest-form bronze coffer with a hinged lid & having ornate applied 'hinge and rivet' design on top and side panels, bail handles and resting on bun feet. It measures approximately 7 3/4"L X 3 3/4"W X 3 1/2"H. On the inside panel of the lid written in English and Danish is the legend of Denmark's National Flag "DANNEBROGEN" It reads:
JUNE 15, 1219
DURING KING VALDEMAR SEJRS CRUSADE IN
ESTONIA, WHEN THE DANES WERE AT MOST DEFEATED, THEY
CALLED ON GOD FOR HELP.
THEY RECEIVED - AS A TOKEN OF GRACE - A
FLAG DROPPED DOWN FROM THE SKY, MARKED
WITH A WHITE CROSS ON A RED GROUND AND
A VOICE WAS HEARD TO SAY "WHEN THIS FLAG
IS RAISED ON HIGH YOU WILL ASSUREDLY OVER-
COME YOUR FOES."
The image on the front of this coffer represets ANDERS SUNESEN, Archibishop of Denmark, Papal Legate & Primate of the Nordic Church, praying to heaven for the Danes success at the Battle of Revel, June 15, 1219 at which time the flag appeared from the sky. The "DANNEBROGEN" is the oldest flag in the world still in use. This chest is wood lined and in very good condition. It is Marked COPEHNAGEN, DENMARK on the back.
Does anyone have any idea when this was made and what this would have been used for? It seems a little small to store a flag in. Would it have been a commemorative piece? Thank you in advance for your help.
