Wiedener Bürgerball Ball Donation 1891, Empress Elisabeth Sisi Photo Album, Habsburg Photography, F W Papke

This extraordinary and museum-quality ball donation from the Wiedener Bürgerball on January 28, 1891, is a high-caliber document of late 19th-century Viennese ball culture and the Austro-Hungarian imperial house. The delicate 9.8 x 5 x 2.5 cm case was manufactured by the renowned Viennese luxury goods producer F W Papke and served the ladies as an elegant carnet de bal. The piece can be set up wonderfully as a decorative object and reveals a fold-out miniature album containing 11 historical portraits of the Austrian high nobility measuring 2.2 x 2.9 cm. Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) is enshrined on the first page, followed by her daughter Archduchess Marie Valerie with her husband Franz Salvator, as well as Crown Princess Stephanie with her daughter Elisabeth. Portraits follow of Archduke Karl Ludwig, Marie Therese of Braganza, heir to the throne Franz Ferdinand, Archduke Otto the Handsome (father of Emperor Karl), Archduchess Margarete Sophie, Archduke Ludwig Viktor "Luziwuzi", Archduke Rainer Ferdinand, and Archduchess Maria Karoline. The depiction of the Empress in 1891 is of deep historical significance, as Sisi withdrew almost completely from public life after the tragic death of Crown Prince Rudolf in 1889 and wore only black, through this ball donation, the Viennese bourgeoisie expressed its patriotic connection to the imperial house.

The object is equipped with an artfully decorated cord with a golden ornamental bead, a velvet bow, and a hook for attachment to the ball gown. The original dance card on the inside is unwritten and empty. Except for the missing pencil, the smaller retaining ring, and the clasp, this rare ball donation is in very good age-appropriate condition. Enrich your high-caliber collection of historical Habsburg memorabilia with this unique witness to Austro-Hungarian elegance. Signs of wear corresponding to age. The object is offered without a display.