armorial engraved, undersides numbered and with scratchweight, together with seven silver dinner plates, J.C. Klinkosch, Vienna, circa 1900

Prince Albert of Saxony, Duke of Teschen (1738-1822) and Archduchess Marie-Christine of Austria (1742-1798) for their use in Brussels as joint Governors of the Austrian Netherlands
Their adopted son Archduke Charles of Austria who married Princess Henriette of Nassau-Weilburg (1797-1829)
Their eldest son Archduke Albrecht of Austria (1817-1895) who married Princess Hildegard of Bavaria (1825-1864). They had no surviving male heir
Archduke Albrecht's adopted son, his nephew Archduke Friedrich of Austria, Duke of Teschen (1856-1936) supreme commander of the Austro-Hungarian army during the First World War, who married Princess Isabella of Cröy (1856-1931).
Due to their only son Archduke Albrecht's (1897-1955) morganatic marriage the inheritance was split between different heirs.
Thence by descent.

Some surface scratches commensurate with use, very crisp engraved armorials.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The numbers and scratchweights (Mark, lot, Quentchen, Pfennig)  on the plates are as follows (Sothebys emphasis): N=1 M.2.=.2.1; N=10 M.2.=.2.3; N= 14 M.2.2.1.3; N=43 M.2.2.1.=; N=52 M.2.2.1.3; N=67 M.2.1.=.1; N=137 M.2.1.=.3; N=145 M.2.1.1.2; N=148 M.2.1.1.2; N=156 M.2.2.1.2; N=162 M.2.1.1.1; N=184 M.2.=.1.1; N=202 M.2.1.2.=; N=208 M.2.=.3.=; N=242 M.2.1.1.1; N=265 M.2.=.=.3; N=270 M.2.=.2.3

In 1904 Edmund W. Braun described the Sachsen Teschen service as the `second most important work of the old-Viennese art of gold-and silver work<sup>1</sup>`, (The gold breakfast garniture of Maria Theresa being the first). It was made as part of the indenture plate for Maria Theresa as representatives in the Austrian Netherlands, her favoured daughter Marie-Christine (`Mimi`) and her son-in-law Albert of Sachsen-Teschen, grandson of King Augustus 'the Strong'. It was certainly used in the palace built for them Schoonenberg (Château de Laeken) whose opening festivities occurred in 1785. `To set the Brussels banquet table  with a Viennese silver service of such quality, quantity (it weighed approximately 680kg) and imaginative design-which would not only match but in many ways surpass some of the best Parisian creations for the French and European courts-was a form of Habsburg propaganda. The result of Ignaz Joseph Würth's enormous achievement, in which he looked beyond French models to incorporate other, mainly Italianate influences is a distinctive Viennese Neoclassical style that powerfully symbolized the cultural and financial abilities of the Habsburg dynasty²' . Much of the service, was sold anonymously at Galerie Fischer, Lucerne, May 6, 1947𒁃. Many of the numbers missing from plates in that auction are found on the plates offered now.

A set of ten silver plates from the Sachsen-Taschen service was sold Sotheby's Paris, 25 November 201🅠0, lot 229.

1. Wolframm Koeppe, Vienna circa 1780, New York, 2010, p. 37
2. op. cit., 73