Although the regalia and insignia of the Holy Roman Empire are doubtless the
historical more significant, the regalia of the Austrian Empire (1804-1918) in
the first rooms of the museum sparkles too. The highlights are the crown and orb
selected by Franz I to be become the imperial insignia of the Austrian Empire.
From 1438 until the dissolution of the Empire in 1806, the Austrian Habsburg
dynasty provided the Holy Roman emperor, with only one exception. Although
internal rivalry and divisions prevented the potentially strongest entity in
Europe from achieving even an iota of its full potential, the figurehead of the
empire was the only emperor and that counted in the order of precedence stakes.
However, in 1804 Napoleon crowned himself emperor of France. Franz II realized
the Holy Roman Empire was unlikely to survive Napoleon’s grand plans for Europe
and had himself crowned Franz I of the new Austrian Empire. In 1806, he could
announce the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire without loosing the status of
emperor.
Traditionally, the crown of the Holy Roman Empire was only used during
coronations. At 3.5 kg it was far too heavy for everyday use and it was kept
locked up in Nuremberg anyway. Emperors therefore had their own personal crowns
made. Virtually all were broken up afterwards to recycle the jewels and gold. A
notable exception is the personal crown of Rudolf II – it was considered far too
beautiful to destroy and represents a highpoint of European goldsmithery. It was
made in Prague in 1602 of gold adorned with diamonds, pearls, rubies, and topped
by a huge sapphire. It is not only beautiful but also full of symbolism. The
fleur-de-lis symbolize royalty (Rudolf II was king of Bohemia and of Hungary),
the arch reminds of the crown of the Holy Roman Empire (Rudolf was emperor from
1576 to 1612), and the golden mitre reminds that the emperor ruled by the grace
of God. In 1804, Franz I selected this crown as the imperial crown of the
Austrian Empire. However, the crown was only symbolic – it was never actually
used during a coronation. Souvenirs of all types and sizes with the crown of
Rudolf II are on sale in the souvenir shop.
The Austrian Empire was founded at a time of war and great uncertainty in all
of Europe. Rather than waste time and money on new jewels, Franz I delved
further into the treasury and selected the orb of Emperor Matthias (1612-19) as
the new imperial insignia. Like Rudolf II, his brother and predecessor, Matthias
had good taste and the orb is a real beauty too. The orb, also made in Prague,
is like the crown made of gold with pearls, diamonds, rubies, and a single large
sapphire.
Several other items of the Austrian imperial regalia are on display including
imperial robes. Note the large painting of Franz I by Friedrich von Amerling. It
shows the emperor in full imperial regalia, which he never actually worn.