Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection
Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection
From the Collection of Archduchess Marie Therese of Austria-Teschen, Duchess of Württemberg (1845-1927)
Auction Closed
November 7, 12:14 PM GMT
Estimate
28,000 - 45,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
From the Collection of Archduchess Marie Therese of Austria-Teschen, Duchess of Württemberg (1845-1927)
Fine diamond brooch, circa 1840
Designed as a bow set with cushion-shaped diamonds, enhanced with rose diamonds, the reverse engraved with a pattern of rococo-style scrolls, pendant detachable, one small diamond deficient.
The Order of the Starry Cross
This bow-shaped brooch was intended to suspend the Order of the Starry Cross or Sternkreuzorden. The Order of the Starry Cross was founded in 1668 by Eleonora Gonzaga (1630–1686), consort of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II. The order included ladies of the higher nobility or Hochadel. Its spiritual aim was for its members to live a virtuous life guided by Christian values.
Soon, the Order of the Starry Cross evolved into a dynastic family order comprising only female members and relations of the Habsburg dynasty. In that respect it functions in much the same way as the British Royal Family orders which are founded with the accession of each new monarch. Traditionally the role of High Protectress of the order is held by the spouse of the head of the Habsburg dynasty or by the most senior Archduchess.
The decoration consists out of an oval plaque featuring a red enamel cross with a black enamel Habsburg double eagle in the background within a frame of blue enamel and topped by the Latin motto ‘Salus et Gloria’. The order is worn pinned to the left breast, either from a black moiré silk bow or from a diamond-encrusted bow such as the present lot.
The Bourbon-Parma sale held in these rooms in November 2018, included just such a bow intended to suspend the Order of the Starry Cross with a provenance of the Empress Maria Theresa (lot 77).