ROYAL Painted Silk Cape, from the estate of Princess Maria Immaculata of Bourbon-Sicily, ca. 1865

Light-colored silk cape typical of the crinoline period. It was worn around 1865. The cape's captivating feature is not only its aristocratic provenance, but also the hand-painted sections of the cape. The surrounding border and the fringes are painted with floral and vine motifs. The lower two-thirds is completed with net tulle. Long fringes. The cape has a few stains and the eyelet for the clasp is missing. A rubbed spot on one shoulder.  Nevertheless, it was kept and stored for a long time. It was probably one of Maria Immaculata of Bourbon-Sicily's (* April 14, 1844 in Naples; † February 18, 1899 in Vienna) favorite pieces. Well preserved for its age.

Length: ~ 100 cm (incl. frings)

The cape comes from the estate of Maria Immakulata of Württemberg (* 3. September 1878; † 25. November 1968), a daughter of Maria Immaculata of Bourbon-Sicily. 

We acquired the cape, together with other wonderful and rare pieces, from the estate of Dr. Alexander Eugen Duke of Württemberg (1933-2024). 

Biographical information: 
Maria Immaculata was a daughter of King Ferdinand II of Sicily and Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria. Her older sister was Maria Annunziata, who also married an Austrian archduke, Karl Ludwig. The archduchess was a famous beauty who even featured in Empress Elisabeth's “beauty album”. One of her daughters was Maria Immakulata of Württemberg.