6/16/14 Vienna Schatzkammer

After the Haus der Musik we went to the Schatzkammer.

The Schatzkammer is full of the treasures that belonged to the Habsburg monarchy.

This includes tabards with elaborate embroidery.

Keys.

Gold and silverwork embroidery.

Scepters.

Crowns and other symbols of office.  The crown, which later became the crown of the Austrian Empire, was commissioned by Rudolf II as an alternative to the Crown of the Holy Roman Empire.

Ceremonial robes.  This, iirc, would be worn by a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece.  A good portion of the collection was devoted to robes and chains and whatnot belonging to the Order of the Golden Fleece.

After divorcing the Empress Josephine, Napoleon married Maria Louise of Austria.  This is a sort of cradle of state for their son.  It would have been a symbolic cradle, not for day to day use.

One room was dedicated to the equipment used in royal baptisms.

Another room had major gems on display, such as this giant opal.

And this giant garnet.

And this giant...  something.  Possibly a rutilated quartz.

This container is a giant emerald.

A parure made with Hungarian opals.

A crown made for Stephan Bocksay of Transylvania by the sultan of the Ottoman empire as thanks for siding against the Habsburgs.  The jewelers didn't have much experience with western crowns, so they modeled it after an eastern bishop's hat.

A golden rose gifted by the pope.  Thirteen roses, the top one for Christ and the others for the disciples.

This is a "unicorn horn" (narwhal tooth) that along with an agate bowl said to be the Holy Grail, composes one of the two inalienable treasures of the Habsburg family which were to always remain with the head of the family and never sold off. 

The Agate Bowl.  There's an inscription that allegedly says XRISTO that looks like it's in the stone itself, which made it into a sort of relic.  It seems to be an example of pareidolia.

The museum also contained religious artifacts, such as this bishop's staff made out of a unicorn horn.

There were also a lot of pieces depicting religious scenes, such as this ivory carving.

This is the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor.

This necklace is another piece having to do with the Order of the Golden Fleece, said golden fleece pendant hanging in front.  The Herald would wear it and it includes the coat of arms of the various members at some time.  

These cloaks were also used by members of the Order and contain absolutely magnificent embroidery.  I'll be going over some pieces from the Schatzkammer in more detail over on my craft blog at a later date.