AUSTRIAN TREASURES

Evening Star, Issue 21708, 1 May 1934, Page 2

AUSTRIAN TREASURES

OH VIEW AT MELBOURNE EXHIBITION One of’the cliafnns of the 'several little exhibitions which have been organised by the International Club (Melbourne) is the glimpse—the personal glimpse, let us say—of the treasures of one country without the introduction of the disturbing note so often to be found in such exhibitions of pieces belonging to other countries and other times. The Austrian Exhibition, which was opened recently (says the ‘ Age ’) speaks of the glories of Austria'during the long reign of the Emperor Francis Joseph, and back earlier to the days when Metternich’s influence was felt throughout Europe, and eren further back to the years before Napoleon’s genius had arisen to disturb the peace of the nations. There is a whole history written around this silver and china, about the furniture and pictures. In lovely blue-and-white china—Royal Meison it is called—is a coffee set. with pierced plates and dishes: it dates, so we are told, from 1810, the year in which Napoleon married Marie Louise of Austria. Patterned in gold are some pieces of Viennese porcelain which once belonged to a set used by the old Emperor Francis Joseph, and were made and used some time between the years '3(3 and 1853. Perhaps it may even bnvo graced the dinner table at the dinner on December 31, 1885. when, though it. was but a family dinner, some twenty-four people were served with what appears from tho menu to be dishes from all parts of Europe. The menu, with others, including that for dejeuner, on a day in 1888. when the Emperor entertained tho Kaiser Wilhelm IT., in the year ho became Emoei'or of Germany, and King Albert of Saxony is amongst those in a collection shown at the exhibition. A portrait recalls the tragic death of the heir to the Austrian throne, the Archduke Rudolf, in 1889. Modern Austrian work is shown by-a blne-and-gold bordered dinner service, by modern cut crystal, lovely little bags of petit point, and enamel powder compacts and beautiful coloured boxes. Airs Marsi, who has been in Australia ■just three years, lent many of the treasures displayed, and shared with Mrs Del Cott, wife of the Austrian Consul, (he organisation of the exhibition.