Magnificent Salon Mirror from the possession of Prince Kinsky
Magnificent large gilded salon mirror with an elegantly decorated frame, featuring fine floral, foliage, and rocaille ornamentation throughout. The base on which the upper mirror rests is lightly profiled and finished in a dark stain.
The four corners of the mirror are embellished with scrolled acanthus leaves. Crowned by a large shell-shaped ornament, flanked on both sides by a garland of flowers and leaves, resting atop the elaborately curved frame. The old mirror plate is executed in three sections, likely from around 1900.
The mirror presented here, from the estate of Prince Franz Ulrich Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau, comes from one of his salons, where it once hung above a grand fireplace (see photo below). Splendid mirrors of this style can also be found in other Viennese palaces or aristocratic residences of the period.
Objects with such distinguished provenance from a Viennese city palace are rarely available on the market and represent a beautiful piece of Viennese history.
Franz Ulrich Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau (1936 Vienna – 2009 Buenos Aires) was, until his passing, the 11th Prince and head of the Kinsky family, a noble lineage of Bohemian origin, counted among the most important and powerful aristocratic families of Bohemia.
History of the Kinsky Family:
Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau (originally Wchinsky, Czech: Kinští z Vchynic a Tetova) is a Bohemian noble family with origins dating back to 1237. In 1628 and 1687, branches of the family were elevated to the rank of Imperial Counts, and in 1676 to the rank of Bohemian Counts. One branch was granted the title of Imperial Prince in 1747.
From this princely line comes the splendid mirror offered here, originally from the Kinsky city palace in Vienna. The Kinsky family acquired significant estates in Bohemia and Moravia, and many prominent statesmen in the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Habsburg Monarchy descended from this house.
History of the Palais Kinsky:
The Palais Kinsky, also known as Palais Daun-Kinsky, is prominently located on the Freyung, alongside other historically significant palaces such as the Palais Harrach. The palace of the Kinsky family is considered one of the city’s most important high baroque buildings. It was constructed between 1713 and 1719 by Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt for Field Marshal Wirich Philipp Count Daun, who had acquired an old house on the Freyung in 1709.
Field Marshal Wirich Philipp Count Daun had risen to high honors through his personal efforts during the Turkish Wars and the War of the Spanish Succession. He was a Knight of the Golden Fleece, General Field Marshal, City Commander of Vienna, and Viceroy of Naples. Like many Viennese palaces (for example, the Palais Pallavicini, formerly Fries), the Kinsky Palace has changed owners several times over the centuries.
In 1777, the palace came into the possession of the Kinsky family. The façade of the high baroque palace, with its impressive portal inspired by Roman models, was considered exemplary even in the 19th century. The magnificent sculptures on the outer portal, as well as the figures inside the palace, are attributed to Joseph Kracker. Equally breathtaking is the interior design of the grand staircase, based on a design by Antonio Beduzzi, who also executed the quadratura paintings.
Also remarkable are the ceiling frescoes by Carlo Carlone in the staircase, depicting an apotheosis of Count Daun as a victorious war hero and patron of the arts. Particularly noteworthy are Carlone’s ceiling painting in the oval ballroom and the quadratura paintings by Marcantonio Chiarini.
Some alterations to the side wings of the palace were made in the 19th century, while the interiors of the grand halls (1879 – 83) were designed, among others, by Rudolf Weyr.
