ROYAL Boudoir Pillow, from the estate of Duchess Maria Immakulata of Württemberg, born Archduchess of Austria, 1900

Square decorative silk pillow, circa 1900. Pillows of this type were kept in a lady's boudoir and served decorative purposes. This one appears to have never been used, but has been very well preserved and stored over the years. The lace cover is beautifully decorated with all-round white embroidery and Valenciennes bobbin lace. It features the double coats of arms of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and Württemberg beneath a crown, as well as the initials "MI" (for Maria Immakulata). The pillow is in excellent condition. There is a small tear in one of the frills.

Dimensions: ~ 60 x 60 cm

This pillow belongs to Maria Immakulata, née Archduchess of Austria and Duke Robert of Württemberg. Maria was a sister-in-law of Marie-Valerie (a daughter of Empress Sisi/Elisabeth of Austria), a great-great-granddaughter of Emperor Leopold II of Austria, and a great-great-great-granddaughter of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. On October 29, 1900, Maria married Duke Robert of Württemberg, a son of Duke Philipp of Württemberg and Marie Theresa of Austria, who was five years her senior. An entire trousseau was made for this royal wedding, which likely included this pillow. The pillow was probably made in Vienna as a wedding gift to the bride or bridegroom.

The jewels of Maria Immakulata were auctioned for millions of euros at Sotheby's in Geneva in November 2023.

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

Biographical details: 
Maria Immakulata of Austria (full name: Maria Immakulata Rainera Josepha Ferdinande Theresia Leopoldine Antoinette Henriette Franziska Karoline Aloysia Januaria Christine Philomena Rosalia; * September 3, 1878 in Baden (Lower Austria); † November 25, 1968 at Altshausen Castle, Altshausen, Baden-Württemberg) was a born Archduchess of Austria as well as Princess of Tuscany and by marriage Duchess of Württemberg.
Maria Immakulata was descended from the House of Habsburg. She was the seventh child and fourth daughter of Archduke Karl Salvator of Austria-Tuscany and his wife Maria Immaculata of Naples-Sicily. Maria Immaculata died in 1968 at the age of 90 at Altshausen Castle in Württemberg, where she was also buried.