A Vienna silver toilette set belonging to the Princess von Bourbon-Parma
A Vienna silver toilette set belonging to the Princess von Bourbon-Parma. Comprising a large pitcher and cistern, four toilette boxes and covers, two silver mounted glass bottles, a pair of candlesticks, chambersticks with snuffers, wick trimmer, two brushes, pincushion, six coasters, vide poche and a large mirror on a wooden corpus. One associated beaker lid. All pieces monogrammed "MC" beneath a ducal crown, the chambersticks monogrammed "A". In the original, fitted case, three pieces missing. Inscribed with inventory no. 2776, and with an old label "Eigentum von EHgin Maria Anna". Indistinct maker's marks, Vienna, 1840. H of pitcher 25,5; the mirror 57 cm; the case ca. 56 x 60 x 20 cm. Weight of silver ca. 3,800 g.
Indistinct maker's marks, Vienna, 1840.
Including a photocopy of a handwritten note from the Princess of Bourbon-Parma which translates to "This cassette with toilette garniture (monogrammed M.C.) originally belonged to the Arch Duchess Marie Christine, wife of Duke Albrecht von Sachsen Teschen and daughter of Empress Maria Theresia, it was subsequently inherited by Archduke Karl and came to me in 1937 following the death of Archduke Friedrich through dispersal of the silver among his children.
Archduchess Maria Anna Princess of Bourbon Parma."
It is realistic to assume that the garniture was in possession of last two previous owners, Maria Anna and her father Archduke Friedrich, but Marie-Christine of Sachsen-Teschen died in 1798, around 40 years before the set was made.
Provenance
Archduke Frederick of Austria (1856-1936); Maria Anna Princess of Bourbon Parma, Arch Duchess of Austria (1882 - 1940); auctioned ca. 1980 by Peretz auction house, Saarbrücken, subsequently in a private collection.