Kingmark silver and red enamel pin with a buttonhole back commemorating the 70th birthday in 1940 of King Christian X of Denmark
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 1.000 inches (2.54 cm) | Width: 0.625 inches (1.588 cm) | Depth: 0.625 inches (1.588 cm)
Creator(s)
- Arno Malinowski (Designer)
- Georg Jensen (Manufacturer)
Archival History
The Christian X commemorative pin was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2010 by Jordan, Lorraine, and Rachel Cherrick in honor of Fred and Kay Zeidman.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Jordan, Lorraine, and Rachel Cherrick, In honor of Fred and Kay Zeidman
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
Commemorative sterling silver and red enamel men's emblem pin with buttonhole back issued by the Georg Jensen Company to honor the 70th birthday of King Christian X of Denmark on August 21, 1940. Designed by Arno Malinowski, the pin features the King’s initials, the years 1870-1940, and the Danish flag. The German army occupied Denmark on April 9, 1940. Christian remained in Copenhagen and the Kingmark became a popular symbol of Danish independence, patriotism, and solidarity. Germany permitted the democratic government to retain control over domestic affairs until August 1943, when the growing resistance movement led Germany to institute martial law. Denmark was liberated by British forces on May 5, 1945. A second pin was issued for Christian’s 75th birthday in 1945. Over 1 million were produced until his death in 1947; production ceased at the request of his son, King Frederick IX.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Cast sterling silver rectangular pin soldered to a crescent shaped buttonhole backing. In the center is a silver shield with an engraved X within an engraved C over a silver cross with red enamel paint at the corners to represent the Danish flag. In the lower corner are casts of the dates 1870 and 1940. A cast of the Danish royal crown is attached to the top of the pin. On the reverse is a Georg Jensen maker’s mark and a silver hallmark.
People
- Montgomery of Alamein, Bernard Law Montgomery, Viscount, 1887-1976.
- Jensen, Georg Arthur, 1866-1935.
- Christian X, King of Denmark, 1870-1947.
Subjects
- Denmark--History--German occupation, 1940-1945.
- World War, 1939-1945--Denmark.
- Nationalism--Denmark---History.
- Copenhagen (Denmark)
Genre
- Jewelry
- Object
- Jewelry.