silver gilt mounting, screw-in invory handle, steel seal plate, seal plate with image of the combined coat of arms Wittelsbach-Habsburg surmounted by the Austrian imperial crown, height 7,5 cm, ca. 1860,/70, (Lu) ASA

Provenance:
Gift by the daughters of the Empress Marie Valerie and Gisela to the Empress’ brother-in-law Duke Ferdinand d’Alencon.

Three objects from the estate of Empress Elisabeth have come to this auction, the personal prayer book of the Empress, a personal seal of the Empress and a medallion with leaves from the place of Empress Elisabeth’s death. After the Empress’ death the objects were passed to her brother-in-law Ferdinand d'Orléans, duc d'Alencon (1844-1910) as a memorial to the assassinated Empress. Duke Ferdinand married the sister of the Empress Sophie Charlotte in 1868 and had a lifelong close relationship with the Empress. in the prayer book is in addition the bookplate of Emmanuel d'Orleans, duc de Vendome (1872-1932), the son of Duke Ferdinand, who was at the same time a godson of Empress Elisabeth.

saleroom notice: Information and support with the research were provided by Mr. Xavier Dufestel, Expert près les commissaires-priseurs, Paris