Antique Austrian silver toilet set for the Duke of Parma by Klinkosch

This spectacular solid silver toilet set was crafted by Josef Carl Klinkosch (Austrian, 1822-1888), the imperial silversmith to Emperor Franz Joseph (1830-1916) and Empress Sisi (1837-1898). The set is believed to be a wedding gift to Elias, Duke of Parma (1880-1959) and the Archduchess Maria-Anna of Austria (1882-1940) celebrated on 25th May 1903 in Vienna.

The 22-piece set comprises: a cartouche-shaped mirror with an ebonised back and easel support, a pair of circular boxes, three graduated shaped oblong boxes, a pair of scent bottles and stands, a pin cushion, a chamberstick, a table bell, a hand mirror, an oval basin, a pair of candlesticks, a beaker, a hairbrush, two clothes brushes, and an oval tray.

All pieces are crafted in the elaborate and playful Rococo style. The silver features are cast in rocaille shapes with a plethora of shell and flower motifs. The boxes are crafted from engraved glass, all including a wonderful embossed silver cover. Each piece is engraved with the Duke of Parma’s and Archduchess Maria-Anna of Austria’s coats of arms for whom this set was commissioned. The coats of arms are surmounted by a crown, this being an emblem of sovereignty and a display of rank, the most prominent example being the adornments on the upper part of the silver mirror.

The set comes with a custom-made leather-covered wooden case lined with luxurious red velvet. The case is painted with ‘3003’ in several places and includes remains of paper labels, one of them reading ‘Eigentum Ihrer / K. u. K. **/ der ** / Erzherzogi** / Marie-Anne'. Inside the case is a gilt embossed maker’s stamp reading 'J.C. KLINKOSCH / vorm. MAYERHOFER & KLINKOSCH / K. u K. HOF u. KAMMER-LIEFERANT / WIEN'.

All pieces feature the maker’s mark as well as other hallmarks such as Diana’s head (also known as Dianakopft) mark indicative of the silver fineness.

Josef Carl Klinkosch started as an apprentice in his father’s workshop, later taking over his business and in 1864 forming a partnership with Stephan Mayerhofer. The firm expanded rapidly, crafting exceptional pieces for European royalty and other elite clientele becoming the most important supplier of silver and gold to the Austro-Hungarian Imperial Court.

With a very interesting provenance and superb quality of finish, this toilet set is a one-of-a-kind addition to one’s collection of silver.

The silver weighs approximately 2666 grammes.

Mirror: Height 57cm, width 53cm, depth 4cm, depth when open 36cm
Case: Height 21cm, width 60cm, depth 66cm