Empress Elisabeth of Austria – a silver wardrobe mirror, purveyor to the imperial-royal court, J. C. Klinkosch, Vienna, circa 1870/80 The silver frame embellished with partly raised, relief decoration in the form of flowers, rocailles, volutes and acanthus leaves. The curved shape flaring slightly at the lower edge, stamped with the master's mark of Joseph Carl von Klinkosch and the Viennese mark of fineness for 800 silver from 1867, with the double-headed eagle of the court purveyor. A cartouche with the appliquéd monogram "E" below the Empress' crown on the upper edge. The back lined in beech wood (one of the handmade, silver fastening nuts is missing), the stand also carved in beech wood, allowing the mirror to be tilted and adjusted, the silver fittings of the stand also stamped with "JCK" and the head of Diana hallmark. The tarnished mirror glass now replaced. Height approx. 61 cm, width 52 cm. In 1869, Josef Carl von Klinkosch (1822-88), purveyor to the imperial-royal court since 1855, became sole proprietor of the silversmith company hitherto known as Mayerhofer & Klinkosch and renamed it "J. C. Klinkosch". Empress Elisabeth devoted a great deal of time to her appearance, particularly looking after her complexion and her hair. However, she refused to wear either make-up or perfume and kept herself in shape with almost daily walks, gymnastics and, until circa 1880, her favourite activity of riding. Condition: I - II