The Black Von Scrolls

Last week visiting my husband’s parents in Cambridge, England, I had the great luck of catching a sleepy exhibit, “Splendour & Power: Imperial Treasures from Vienna” at the Fitzwilliam Museum. A selection of this collection was on loan from the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, where I traveled last year.

Because I have long been studying the Habsburg dynasty for a current project, this exhibit immediately caught my attention and curiosity. I was interested to know what some of my subjects collected and wore. Here are some of the most intricate and bizarre pieces from the exhibit:

Coral Ring with the Bust of Emperor Ferdinand III, Germany, c. 1650, Coral and turquoise tusk

These tiny cameos were to represent the “uninterrupted line of Emperors” of the Hapsburg dynasty. The ring is extremely delicate and fragile, something one would wear while playing cards or reading a book, nothing more. 

Lidded Cup, Southern Germany, first half of the seventeenth century, Ivory and Coconut

The coconut was actually turned to form the shape of an ostrich egg, the least impressive aspect of this cup. It begs to ask the question; what would wine taste from a coconut? Answer: nothing, it was part of Rudolph II’s Kunsthammer collection and sadly for display only.

Small Container in the form of a Wheatsheaf, Southern Germany, second half of the seventeenth century or first half of the eighteenth century, Gold, Silver and Diamonds.

This is my all time favorite object - Murray Moss, you can’t touch this. The wheat top is unscrewed at the neck of the diamonds. Inside small tools are found (a tooth pick, a tongue scraper and an ear spoon) which attach to the handle provided. This was to be kept at the dining table, as an impressive status symbol to implement personal hygiene after dinner. This particular set was owned by Maria Theresa, Marie Antoinette’s mother.

Venus on a Shell (with mount), Miseroni, Milan, late sixteenth century, Chalcedony (agate) and Gold

Assumed to be owned by Rudolph II but never inventoried. Was a former lid for a large shell bowl. The piece moved all around Europe until it finally made it into the hands of a wealthy Swiss family, and recently went to auction, fetching £1.49M in July 2011. 

Inseperable Link Chain with the likeness of Emperor Leopold I, Vading, c. 1673, Vienna, Ivory

What the photograph does not show is this chain is extremely long; carved from one single piece of ivory. The verso side depicts the Emperor’s commitment to the empire and Catholicism. Another unbelievable Baroque piece symbolizing extreme artistry, wealth and power. 

Stemmed Drinking Vessel made from tree burl, Southern Germany, c. 1600, Tree burl and silver with fire-gilding

This cup served a dual purpose, to be used as display but also for drinking on special occasion as yet another status symbol of the super rich. This is a prize example of the appreciation for natural material combined with superior artistry during that time.

Ivory Cup, Strauss, Ausburg, c. 1660/70, Ivory

During both of my visits, I could not stop exploring this work. Again, another bonkers example of ivory craftsmanship. This “cup” depicts Classical gods such as Neptune, Diana, Hercules, Minerva, Mercury, Juno and many others. The drapery is out of this world.

Leopold as Victor over the Turks, Steinl, Vienna, 1690/93, Ivory

This piece was not included in the show I saw, but it is in the collection. Says it all really. I’m about to join up with Occupy Wall Street for this afternoon’s march and thought this was a pretty fitting last image to include. Truly a work for the 1%.

* All images and information from the catalog Splendour & Power: Imperial Treasures from Vienna by Paulus Rainer