The Danish newspaper Børsen today has an article about the upcoming silver furniture exhibition at Versailles which opens on 19 November.
According to the newspaper, the Danish items, 53 in all and from Rosenborg Castle, will make up about 70% of the exhibition as Denmark has an extraordinary large collection of silver furniture – the reason should be that the various items were originally commissioned by different persons and not only the king who could therefore melt it if the silver was needed.
Apparently, the items were taken to the Danish Central Bank some time ago and there hand-polished in preparation for the exhibition. Moreover, the Bruun Rasmussen auction house was asked to put a value on the furniture - the first time this has been done. The result is said to be a 'nice three-digit million figure, but not a billion'.
Queen Margrethe has not sent all her best pieces as some are in use elsewhere, but among the items should be one of the three silver lions and one of the throne chairs.
Cognac producer Martell is a principal participant in this adventure and according to Børsen, Martell has paid for insurance and transport of the Danish silver – for DKK 40m.
Børsen claims that the items were brought to Versailles some weeks ago – on two vans followed by a number of cars - and that the police in both Germany and France had made sure that the vans and cars were met by green traffic lights and cleared roads no matter where they went.
Queen Margrethe is said to be very excited about this exhibition and looking forward to opening it together with the French president; however the general election in Denmark tomorrow may mean that she will be unable to make it if the formation of a new government requires her to stay in Denmark.
