Breakfast at Sisi's: Imperial Memorabilia Auction at the Vienna Dorotheum

In existence now for 300 years, the Dorotheum – the oldest one of the world's leading auction houses – traces its foundation to an imperial decree.  As a consequence, the Imperial Memorabilia Auction to be held at the Vienna Dorotheum on the 8th May of the tercentenary year 2007 deserves particular attention and credit, after all it is the imperial family itself that is at the heart of this auction. It seems that it is just a matter of time until history catches up with everybody…

Although the selection features a wide range of busts, photographs, jewellery, or portraits coming from historical Europe's royal families, objects associated with Empress Elisabeth – Sisi – and her husband, Emperor Franz Joseph, invariably are among the most popular and sought-after items.

Back in 1901, Emperor Franz Joseph personally presided over the inauguration of the present Palais Dorotheum. From his personal estate, and originally bequeathed to his adjutant, the auction includes an oversized pocket watch, a so-called manoeuvre watch, with a Swiss lever movement. This rare gilt brass watch, complete with wooden travelling case, is distinguished by its spherical shape and a movement encased in crystal glass (valuation € 4.000 – 8.000). One of Emperor Franz Joseph's most distinctive characteristics, noticeable in many of his portrait and photographs, was the ornament of his huntsman's hat. A fine example of such an ornament, from the estate of the supplier to the k & k court Bubacek, consisting of a  chamois "Gamsbart" and black grouse plume, might become a real feather in the cap of its new owner (€ 500 – 1.000).

A particularly 'savoury' find is the portfolio listing various menus, some hand-written, of the young Empress Sisi. It o<//span>ffers an insight into the frugal eating habits of the imperial family. During the period of  1. - 7. September 1856, for example, breakfast consisted of sliced milk bread, croissants, co<//span>ffee, and whipped cream. A typical lunch taken by the Empress might include: ½ plate of chocolate bread, 1 plate of fruit, ¼ measure of iced fare. Valued at between 600 and 1200 Euro, the portfolio also includes order lists, e.g. for smoked meats, poultry, victuals, and several kinds of bread (€ 600 – 1.200).

Elisabeth's grandchild and goddaughter, Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska (1892 - 1930), was generally considered to be the prettiest member of her extended family. Not without assistance, as is evident in her luxurious travelling toiletry set, complete with the original wooden cassette, which she received as part of her dowry. Consisting of a total of twenty items, it includes a standing mirror, and hand-held mirror, a cup, a pincushion, a pair of silver candelabra, all made by the court suppliers J. C. Klinkosch, as well as five glass boxes with silver socket lids and two glass flacons. Decorated with floral engraving, all of the glass elements bear the company mark of J. L. Lobmeyr, supplier to the imperial court. The splendid beauty case of Archduke Franz Salvator and Archduchess Marie Valerie's eldest daughter is valued at between 15.000 and 25.000 Euro.

A collection of 600 large-scale photographs of German castles and palaces around 1870, e.g. Castle  Fröhlichwiederkunft belonging to the Dukes of Sachsen-Altenburg, not only contains valuable samples of early  photographic art but also provides an excellent source for art historians. The six large book cassettes bearing the title „Deutsche Fürstenhäuser“ once belonged to the library of Emperor Franz Joseph and were issued by the photographer and publisher A. Mencke. Historical documents of the period are rarely found in such well preserved and complete form (€ 7.000 - 10.000).

Diverse items of porcelain-, glass-, or silver tableware allow their buyers to literally dine like emperors. Of historical significance, a model figure of Empress Zita and Crown Prince Otto shows them in Hungarian coronation costume and was made on the occasion of their coronation in Budapest 30th December 1916 (€ 5.000 - 7.000). Like many of the other items on offer at the popular Imperial Memorabilia Auction, this collector's piece is a curiosity as well as a part of imperial history.