ROYAL Goose Feather Stole, from the estate of Princess Maria Immaculata of Bourbon-Sicily, ca. 1875

Rare feather stole or feather shawl made from goose feathers. We date the stole to around 1875 and it comes from the estate of Maria Immaculata Clementina (* April 14, 1844 in Naples; † February 18, 1899 in Vienna). She was a Princess of Bourbon-Sicily by birth and Archduchess of Austria-Tuscany by marriage. Stoles of this kind have hardly survived the test of time. This one has. It was well stored. But not so well that the inner silk is worn out. Crocheted end to “improve” the length. Probably made in Italy. 

Length: ~ 240 cm (incl. fringes)

The stole 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 stole, 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.