The use of exclusive materials, such as Cuban mahogany, paired with the luxuriance and craftsmanship of decorative elements in the interior décor of the palace on Bankgasse, was complemented by the deployment of exotic collector's objects. Displayed in the same room as the corner étagère were three 'Vieux-Laque' chests. Interest in oriental lacquer work can be traced back to the 18th century and was particularly intense in Austria during the reign of Maria Theresa. In 1765 the empress had an entire room decorated with Chinese lacquer panels set in giltwood frames. In the mid-19th century Peter Hubert Desvignes revived this predilection, combining his Rococo revival furniture designs with chinoiseries.

The Princely Collections