Elisabeth d'Autriche. tabatière de présentation en émail, or et pierres précieuses, sans poinçon mais probablement C.M. Weishaupt & Söhne, Hanau, vers 1880

en forme de cartouche, le couvercle orné du chiffre couronné de l'Impératrice en tant que reine de Hongrie, sur un fond émaillé de bleu, la bâte et le dessous gravés d'ornements floraux, la bordure numérotée 3420, dans son écrin d'origine

Given to the 2nd Viscount Combermere in 1881 when Empress Elisabeth visited Combermere Abbey for the hunting season;
thence by descent

some haircracks to enamel on either side of top of E, otherwise very good clean condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

En 1881, l'impératrice Elisabeth, sachant par son ami Watkins Williams-Wynn que le 2^e vicomte Combermere, propriétaire de Combermere Abbey, passait l'hiver dans sa propriété des Antilles, se hâta de louer la maison pour les mois de février et mars afin d'y pratiquer la chasse. La maison fut apparemment louée pour £600 par mois et £10,000 furent dépensés pour installer des sonnettes électriques à l'attention du personnel, convertir des chambres en une chapelle catholique et un gymnase, construire un escalier privé pour accéder au salon de l'Impératrice et enfin pour ajouter des voies de garage à la gare locale pour les wagons de marchandises transportant ses bagages et ses chevaux d'Irlande et de Vienne. L'impératrice et sa suite arrivèrent à la gare de Wentbury le 19 février 1881 et le séjour fut considéré comme un grand succès après 22 jours de chasse sur 28. Sa venue suscita il va de soi une grande curiosité parmi les habitants locaux, mais le détail qui frappa le plus les esprits fut la tenue de chasse si serrée que l'Impératrice devait descendre les escaliers sur le côté – afin que sa tenue soit parfaitement adaptée, elle la faisait coudre sur elle tous les matins par une de ses dames de compagnie. Elle revint à Combermere l'année suivante et ce fut-là son dernier séjour en Angleterre. (pour plus de détails, voir le site internet The Empress of Austria, her British journeys)

In 1881, Empress Elisabeth, advised by a friend Watkins Williams-Wynn that the owner of Combermere Abbey, the 2nd Viscount Combermere, was to spend the winter visiting his estates in the West Indies, determined to hire the house for the months of February and March, in order to hunt. The house was apparently rented at a cost of £600 per month and £10,000 was spent installing electrical bells for summoning staff, converting rooms into a Catholic chapel and gymnasium, building a private staircase to the Empress's sitting room and adding sidings to the local station for the goods wagons carrying her luggage and her horses from Ireland and Vienna. The Empress and her large entourage arrived at Wenbury station on 19 February 1881 and the visit was considered a great success since they were able to hunt on 22 days out of a possible 28. Naturally the visit aroused great interest among the local inhabitants but the detail which seemed to fascinate people most was that the Empress wore her riding habit so tight that she had to walk down any stairs sideways – in order to achieve the correct fit she was actually sewn into the habit each day by an accompanying lady's maid. She returned to Combermere the following year but that was her last hunting trip to England. (For further details, see website The Empress of Austria, her British journeys.)